Bali Belly Symptoms: All You Need to Know
Bali has numerous breathtaking landscapes, captivating attractions, a vibrant culture, and delectable cuisine. It is a perfect destination for those with wanderlust, but there is one common concern that all tourists dread - Bali Belly.
A commonly used term for 'traveller's diarrhoea', it can derail your carefully curated travel itinerary and turn your dream escapade into a nightmare.
What is Bali Belly?
Bali Belly is another expression for food poisoning or traveller's diarrhoea, that affects travellers when visiting Bali. However, it is not limited to Indonesia and can occur in other tropic destinations like Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Myanmar.
It can lead to days of serious stomach infections and frequent trips to the bathroom in the middle of the vacation.
What causes the Bali Belly?
Bali Belly is contracted from consuming contaminated food and/or water during the trip. Viruses, bacteria, bacterial toxins, parasites, certain chemicals, and food additives are some of the direct causes of Bali Belly. E. coli, Salmonella, and Campylobacter are common bacteria that can trigger Bali Belly.
Bali Belly Preventions - How to Avoid it?
Easing into the local cuisine and lifestyle without making drastic changes to your diet, particularly in the initial days of your vacation, is of utmost importance to minimise the risk of contracting Bali Belly.
Here are some precautions you can follow to avoid getting the disease:
Only drink sealed bottled water. Avoid drinking tap water. If you must use tap water, boil it before drinking.
Use bottled water for washing your face and mouth and for brushing. You will inevitably intake some amount of water during these activities.
If you order seafood or meat, ensure they are thoroughly cooked, not raw or rare. Avoid having items like sushi on the roadside.
Avoid eating from food stalls where the items have been kept unrefrigerated, exposed to sun and air, and touched by other people.
Have your drinks without ice. There is little chance ice cubes would be made from bottled water.
Maintain personal hygiene. Wash hands frequently. Carry sanitiser in your bag. Avoid touching your face repeatedly. Use clean, fresh tissues to wipe your hands and face.
When introducing yourself to Balinese cuisine, start with smaller portions and avoid spicy or greasy food at first.
Many vendors in Indonesia sell peeled and cut fruits on the street. If you want to try, ensure the seller peels and cuts the fruit before you. Do not eat fruits that have been peeled and sliced for hours beforehand.
You may also want to avoid unpasteurised dairy products like milk, cheese, and ice cream.
Do not swim in unclean pools, especially if you have open cuts or grazes. Avoid accidentally drinking pool water while you're swimming as well.
Bali Belly Symptoms - How to know you have it?
The most common symptoms of Bali Belly are diarrhoea, often accompanied by stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and bloating. In some cases, the patients may also experience high fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, dizziness, and extreme dehydration.
Bali Belly Treatment - How to cure it?
Bali Belly goes away on its own with generic home remedies and rest. The reason it tends to get worse among some travellers is because there needs to be more opportunity to get rest during the trip, as the itinerary is usually packed with activities.
However, if you do contract Bali Belly, make sure to make the necessary changes to the schedule and give your body rest. Also, avoid getting dehydrated increasing fluid intake, ideally with oral rehydration salts available over the counter at local pharmacies.
Limit your consumption of dairy products, alcohol, and spicy foods. Bali Belly usually gets cured within 3-5 days, at most a week. However, if you feel the need, you should call a doctor or get yourself to a local clinic/hospital to receive a proper prescription for antibiotics.
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What to eat with Bali Bally?
Ideally, you should stick to a simple, easily digestible diet if you get Bali Belly. Choose familiar food like rice, toast, clear soups, rice, bananas, applesauce, etc. You do not need to force yourself to eat bland food. Adding salt will not deteriorate your condition.
Summing Up
There is currently neither a magic cure for Bali Belly nor a vaccine proven to prevent it entirely. However, the guide above should help you navigate the delectable cuisine of Bali without being brought down by overwhelming tummy troubles.
Stick to the suggestions to ensure you enjoy the best cooking classes and dinner cruises Bali offers! Also, consider hiring a private driver for the ultimate convenience throughout your stay.
Commonly Asked Questions
How long does Bali Belly last?
Bali Belly can last for 24 hours or up to 5 days. To treat diarrhoea, you can use Diapet (Bali) or Imodium (Australia & Bali).
Can you get Bali Belly twice on the same trip?
It's quite unlikely, but tourists can catch Bali Belly more than once. That's because there are different bacteria and viruses that can cause it, and having it once doesn't make you immune to all of them.
Does Bali Belly go away on its own?
The body recovers from the symptoms of Bali Belly on its own, with plenty of rehydration and rest. If it doesn't, consult a doctor for a course of antibiotics.
Is the Bali Belly contagious?
Bali Belly, a gastrointestinal condition, is not spread through coughing or sneezing. However, it can still be contagious between people through poor hygiene practices. Avoid sharing food and water, and wash hands regularly if you're near someone suffering from Bali Belly.
How long does Bali Belly take to kick in?
Travellers can be exposed to diarrhoea-inducing bacteria and viruses within the first few days. After contamination, it can take 2-5 hours for the initial symptoms, such as a rumbling stomach and nausea, to appear.