Q. I WENT TO TURKEY LAST YEAR, GOT A HORRIBLE TUMMY BUG AND SPENT MOST OF MY HOLIDAY IN THE BATHROOM. HOW CAN I AVOID IT HAPPENING ON MY HONEYMOON THIS YEAR? Celia, 33, Dublin
A. Luckily there are lots of things you can do to avoid tummy bugs. If you're all-inclusive, get to the buffet early to avoid eating food that's been sitting out too long. When eating out, make sure meat is always thoroughly cooked - you don't want to see any pink in chicken, pork, sausages or anything made with mince, like burgers and kebabs. Shellfish can be a little risky so it might be worth avoiding if you're worried. Similarly, treat anything with raw egg in it, like mousse, with caution. Follow the obvious advice: if you're unsure about the safety of the water, drink and brush your teeth with the bottled variety and avoid salads that have been washed in unclean water. Pack rehydration sachets just in case, and perhaps talk to your GP about getting the antibiotic ciprofloxacin to take with you if you're going somewhere high-risk. If rich food often upsets you, pack some antacids. Plus, if you have really bad stomach upset on holiday, don't forget there are doctors abroad that can treat you!
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