So I feel like I should be ‘touching wood’, ‘thanking my lucky stars’, or ‘throwing salt over a shoulder’ all in the name of good luck as I am probably about to jinx myself.
I have only had Bali Belly once in 15 years and I really hope to never get it again.
So in saying that here are few tips on how to avoid Bali Belly and how to treat it if you are faced with it…and I really hope you don’t.
What is Bali Belly?
The doctor who treated me referred to it as ‘Travelers Diarrhoea’, and I understand it is a nasty bacterial infection.
Symptoms may include:
- severe vomiting and diarrhoea,
- fever,
- terrible headache,
- extreme lethargy,
- full body aches and pains.
How do you get Bali Belly?
It is my understanding that you can get it from food, water, and mostly the money (if you don’t wash your hands after using the bathroom and before you eat).
I also understand it is that travellers have different levels of bacteria that they are immune to and when they are in Bali and alter their diet so suddenly to enjoy tropical fruits, spicy nasi gorengs and their bodies can not adapt quick enough.
How to Avoid Bali Belly?
Personally I think it is more of a matter of luck and common sense however consider this:
- Never drink the tap water even to brush your teeth.
- The ice these days is fine in most tourist areas as it is government regulated, be cautious in the more isolated parts of Bali.
- Wash your hands with soap regularly (especially after handling money)
- Take Pro-Biotic tablets before and during your trip
- Drink Yakult which you can buy from any mini mart and Circle K store·
- Bring colloidal silver with you (talk to a health food store about this)
- Some people still swear by a glass of Anchor Red cordial each day or Cascade raspberry cordial (Don’t be alarmed if you do red poo).
- You can use Anti-Bacterial hand wash.
- Stay hydrated ! Due to the humidity and sometimes amount of alcohol consumed, people get extremely dehydrated hence lowering their immunity.
Treatment for Bali Belly
- Some people suggest you let it run its course
- Drink lots of water (bottled only), with electrolytes
- Use some anti-nausea and diarrhoea tablets or charcoal and Depak from Circle K and a chemist/Apotek
- I strongly suggest you call in the doctor immediately (please always have travel insurance as this can be costly) so as to not ruin your holiday and especially when young children are involved.
I hope you all never get Bali Belly xxx
Last time I went to Bali I came home with giardia. Oh wow that was nasty and it went on and on for months.
That was last September and I only started to feel 100% about a month ago!
But I’ll return, I was very careful with what I ate and drank but was unlucky
Always take a course of Flagyl or Fasogin anti parasitic medication with you. Ask your GP for a prescription.Take at first sign of diarrhoea.This will treat Giardia and other parasitic gastro.
Our last trip to bali I knew I’d forgotten something…..travel insurance!!, we went white water rafting and I got a tummy full of water,,,, I was so so sick ended up in hospital for 6 hours which cost $700 – ouch …..I did take tablets but couldn’t keep them down so they didn’t help going back for a month in September have insurance and hope none of us get it!!
I touch wood every time I go! I’m there in 2 weeks for my 15th time and still have NEVER had Bali Belly, I just use common sense and drink Pocari Sweat to replace my electrolytes or coconut water. Hopefully I have the same story when get back!
I would recommend Travellan too.
I used it with the exception of one time and that time I got extremely sick …. 🙁
Scared not to take it now …..
I can relate, I have just returned, I am now under the health department for shigella virus, but I believe I hindered things by taking gastro stop every day just in case, of course you get a change in the bathroom area, but as the doc said, don’t stop it let it out. Definitely pro biotics leading up to and during your trip, my 21st trip never had a prob, I may have even taken it with me from Aus, don’t be like me and bung your self up with meds, it will only make the bacteria grow, you live and learn. So glad I got your app, used it so much on our trip :). Of course if will be back for our 22nd trip 🙂
Yeh its so hard isn’t it, I totally get the theory of let the bug run its course and must escape the body, however when on a long drive or getting on a plane sometimes those little helpers just get you through without pooping or spewing hahahah for the interim anyways !! :0 xxx