Teen’s health scare during Egypt holiday

A TEENAGER has described how she was struck down with a bacterial infection after returning from a holiday to Egypt.

Anna Doherty, 19, says she spent 11 days in intensive care after succumbing to an infection during her stay at the Jasmine Palace Hotel in the resort of Hurghada.

The administration assistant, from Walkden, contacted the M.E.N. to share her experience.

Miss Doherty travelled to the popular Egyptian seaside resort with her dad and sister in March, and they stayed for ten days.

Halfway into their stay at the allinclusive hotel, Anna told how she began to feel extremely unwell, suffering symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea.

After visiting the on-site doctors’ clinic, Anna says she was told she had a water infection and was given an injection and a course of antibiotics.

She began to feel better, but when she returned home to the UK, her condition rapidly deteriorated.

Anna says her family rushed to the Royal Oldham Hospital and she was quickly transferred to The Royal Liverpool Hospital with suspected jaundice.

Doctors in Liverpool originally suspected Anna was suffering from ‘haemolytic uraemic syndrome,’ which is commonly caused by a complication from an infection with E coli 0157.

They were unable to give a final diagnosis, she said, but believe the previously healthy teenager was struck by a bacterial infection.

Anna believes if it wasn’t for the treatment she received at Royal Liverpool Hospital, she wouldn’t be here today.

She said: “It was really scary. I never expected to go away and get this ill.

“I lost so much weight from being in hospital – my body just completely shut down.

“It’s thanks to the amazing staff at Liverpool hospital that I am here today.

“I honestly believe if I hadn’t gone to hospital when I did, it would be a whole different story.”

Anna says she wants her story to act as a warning to holidaymakers thinking of travelling to Egypt, following a recent health scare in the country.

Tests carried out by Thomas Cook on the Steigenberger Aqua Magic Hotel identified a high level of staphylococcus bacteria and E.coli.

Miss Doherty’s family booked the package holiday with booking website OnTheBeach. A company spokesperson said: “We pride ourselves on delivering the highest standards of service and care.

“On this occasion, while we were not made aware of the customer feeling unwell either while on holiday or upon their return home, we are now in touch with them and assisting in any way that we can.” The M.E.N has tried repeatedly to contact the Jasmine Palace Hotel for comment, but has not received a response. Anna Doherty