Upset stomach, diarrhea and al. when in Egypt...

I was browsing the net for medical info (even more than those I already know after being there many times) and found several useful posts.

I am writing here both my notes from my trips, and bits of posts I found, together with pharmaceutical information (active substances of the medicine in case you have it in your country but, with a different commercial name).

I urge everyone interested in this to add comments and info to this post, as it might be useful for others searching this kind of information, before travelling.

Beginning with a list of essentials to bring, when travelling to Egypt:

Flagyl is an oral antiprotozoal and antibacterial antibiotic. It fights infections caused by bacteria or amoeba in  the vagina, stomach, skin, joints, and respiratory tract.

Important information about Flagyl:
Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Flagyl will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu. Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medication and for at least 3 days after you stop taking it. You may have unpleasant side effects such as fast heartbeats, warmth or redness under your skin, tingly feeling, nausea, and vomiting.
Before taking Flagyl:
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to metronidazole, or if you are in the first trimester of pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment, or have:
liver disease; a stomach or intestinal disease such as Crohn's disease; a blood cell disorder such as anemia (lack of red blood cells) or leukopenia (lack of white blood cells); epilepsy or other seizure disorder; or
nerve disorders.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication.

Read more: http://www.drugs.com/flagyl.html#ixzz0uiUvbcph

Ultra-Levure/Imodium/Entocid

Visadron (or other eye relief liquid in drops)

Facial/hand/toilet wipes (plenty)

Water purifying tablets (at the pharmacy)

Sunscreens (SPF 15 and more, not less)

Insect repellent (spray, or citronella adhesive or bracelet stripes)

Mineral water (bring, buy and drink ONLY bottled mineral water), and avoid BARAKA

 Eat plain yogurt with a spoon of honey at breakfast every morning.

Buy Rayeb in an Egyptian supermarket and drink about 200ml a day. It's a probiotic milk drink and very cheap.

Buy Entocid

Manufacturer & License holder:  CID
Composition:  
- Di-iodo-Hydroxyquinoline 0.2gm/tab  
- Phthalyl-Sulphathiazole 0.2gm/tab  
- Streptomycin Sulphate 0.1gm/tab
Therapeutic class:
- Anti-infective Agents
- Antiprotozals
- Amoebicidals

or Antinal

from the pharmacy and take 2 tablets if you feel icky.
Never eat fruit out of it's skin.
Always eat boiling cooked vegetables and avoid cold and salad veggies.
Don't have ice in drinks.
Drink plenty water and not too much soft drinks with sugar.
Don't drink alcohol as it will dehydrate you more in the heat.
Drink Yansoon/Anise tea if you feel unwell. Yansoon is everywhere in Egypt just ask.

Avoid any contact with tap water. No ice, no veg or fruits if you can't peal or cook them..
But if you get sic follow this advice please!!!
First day when you arrive in Egypt go to any pharmacy and buy ENTOCID tablets. The pack of 8 costs only 2 LE . On the first sighn of sickness drink at once 2 tablets and after, take them for a few days, one in the morning and one in the evening. (although the problems are most likely to stop in a few hours after the first two tablets).
The advice was given by a guide who lives there for 8 years.

YANSOON (ANISEED DRINK) --EGYPT
<!--YANSOON (ANISEED DRINK) --EGYPT--> For each cup: 3/4 c. water 1 tsp. aniseeds 2 tsp. sugar or honey to taste Boil ingredients together for 2 minutes. Pour through a tea strainer into serving cups.

Drug Stores and Health and Beauty Stores (including Pharmacies) in Egypt