Hurghada Health Guide — Staying Well on the Red Sea
Hurghada is generally a healthy destination — but sun, heat, food hygiene, and water are genuine health considerations. This guide covers everything you need to know about staying well.
Vaccinations for Egypt
No specific vaccinations are required for Egypt as a country. Recommended (check with your GP): hepatitis A (food and water transmission — recommended for all Egyptian travel), typhoid (particularly if travelling outside main tourist zones), and ensure tetanus and polio are up to date. Malaria is not present in the Red Sea tourist zone — no malaria prophylaxis needed for Hurghada. Yellow fever vaccination is required only if arriving from a yellow fever country.
Sun Safety — The Biggest Health Risk
The Hurghada sun is significantly more intense than anything UK visitors are used to. UV index reaches 10–12 in summer (extreme) and 6–8 in winter (high). Sunburn on the first day of holiday is one of the most common — and most preventable — medical issues for tourists. Protocol: apply SPF 50+ 20 minutes before sun exposure, reapply every 90 minutes, wear a hat and UV-protective clothing, avoid direct sun 11:00–15:00 in summer.
Food and Water Safety
Tap water in Hurghada is not safe for tourists — drink bottled water only, including for tooth brushing. Bottled water is cheap (£0.25–£0.50 per litre at supermarkets). Ice in tourist hotels and established restaurants is typically made from purified water. Street food: established local restaurants in Ad Dahar are generally safe; unlicensed street vendors carry higher food hygiene risk.
Medical Facilities in Hurghada
Hurghada has several private hospitals catering to tourist medical needs: El Salam Hospital (the main tourist-facing facility), various private clinics throughout the tourist zone, and a hyperbaric chamber for diving accidents (essential for serious divers — know its location). Most tourist-facing medical staff speak English. With travel insurance, quality medical treatment is accessible and reasonably fast. Without insurance: treatment can be very expensive.
Jellyfish
October to December is jellyfish season in Hurghada. Several species of jellyfish are present in the Red Sea during this period — most stings are painful but not dangerous. Treatment: remove tentacles without touching them directly (use a card), apply vinegar or saltwater (not fresh water), antihistamine cream. Ask your hotel daily about jellyfish conditions before open water swimming. Jellyfish-specific beaches alerts are posted when concentrations are significant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What vaccinations do I need for Hurghada?+
Is the food safe in Hurghada?+
Planning to Visit Hurghada? Consider Owning
Apartments from £15,000. Freehold, 0% interest payment plans. Stop paying hotel prices every trip.
Flying to Hurghada regularly?
Many repeat visitors buy their own apartment — cheaper than hotels and earns rental income. Studios from £15,000 with 0% interest payment plans.
Read the complete buying guide →