You might have heard about people you know getting Bali Belly during vacation. Having this during the vacation can ruin your plans as you will be stuck in your hotel room just waiting for it. This can last for several days unfortunately, and makes you want to eat almost nothing. It is caused by bacteria, indicating food poisoning. You can also get it from someone else because of lack of hygiene. Bali Belly can last 1 day or even up to 10 days. Depending on your immune system and eating habit.
Understanding Bali Belly better
Bali Belly, often recognized as gastroenteritis, can be triggered by various bacteria. The primary culprits are often associated with substandard food and water hygiene. While Bali is a paradise for many travelers, it’s crucial to remember that it, like many developing destinations, has its own set of health challenges. It’s not just only hygiene, your body will likely need to get used to a whole new environment. Everything will be new for you to get acclimated to.
Let’s go over the symptoms to know if you have Bali Belly.
Diarrhea caused by Bali Belly
This is the most common sign that you can have. Although not every diarrhea means that you have Bali Belly. So watery and lose stool is surely one of the signs.
Did you remember what you ate? If the food was room on temperature, a soup dish, street food this increases the chance of getting Diarrhea in Bali. In most establishments when ordering a drink, you will receive ice cubes in it. Most of the times these are just made with normal tap water. Don’t ask if it is made out of mineral water, just ask without ice.
Frequent toilet visits
To make things worse, you will go to the toilet multiple times per day. It is a certainty that a short time after you eat that you will have a toilet visit multiple times. The stool is still watery and lose. Eating one time does not mean only 1 toilet visit, it can be multiple times disregarding the amount you eat.
Stomach pain and cramps
Bali Belly is often paired with stomach pain and cramps. There is a discomfort and sometimes the stomach would make sound. Most of the times this is not the sound indicating that you are hungry. It’s an alarm that you have to move to the toilet again. When you have the first 3 symptoms of Bali Belly look out for the symptoms below.
Elevated temperatures to fever
It’s common to have a slight elevation. This is to fight off the bacterial infection in the stomach that causes the Bali Belly. It is important to stay hydrated as the combo of diarrhea and elevated temperature or even fever can cause serious harm. Drink isotonic drinks like Gatorade or Pocari Sweat, some sports drink to hydrate and replenish your electrolytes.
Nausea which can come with vomiting
Feeling dizzy, or nauseous is not always a symptom but it can happen. This is very hard when it is combined with all the other symptoms of Bali Belly. Making the world spin around you while having fever, diarrhea you might think can it get worse? Yes by vomiting. Eat easy things and light digestible foods like crackers, soup and such.
Weak feeling and a lack of energy
Because eating and drinking does not go well, you are also getting less energy. Most of the energy you have is used to try and keep it together. When you are feeling weak, or have no energy, the best thing to do is just lie on bed or stay in the resort. This way the toilet is nearby and you can make yourself as comfortable as possible.
Loss of appetite
All the symptoms will just make you want to eat less, or not at all. It’s not a good sign, try to eat something especially when you are about to take medicine. You need to try and get something in even though it goes out. Just try the easy things to eat and drink.
The Impact of Bali Belly on Vacation Plans
While Bali promises a picturesque escape filled with cultural treasures and serene beaches, Bali Belly can quickly turn your dream vacation into a challenge. Many tourists anticipate the beauty of Bali, but few come prepared for the health risks. The sudden onset of symptoms not only disrupts sightseeing plans but can also lead to isolation as you’re confined to your room, focusing solely on recovery. Knowing how to prevent and manage Bali Belly becomes crucial to ensure you make the most of your Bali experience.
How to prevent Bali Belly
Having Bali Belly is hard especially when it is a vacation, special occasion. It can ruin plans easily. Preventing Bali Belly is not hard you just got to look out for the small details:
- drink without ice cubes (even though it is claimed it is safe) you might just not get used to the difference.
- avoid street food
- avoid room-temperature food (bacteria loves this)
- Drink bottled water
- Eat food that has been cooked well
- When around someone with Bali Belly take care
- avoid wet utensils/glasses and plates
- Ensure you wash and sanitize your hands, especially before meals.
- For those traveling with infants, sterilize baby bottles using boiling water.
These are actually generic things to look out for when you are abroad. This all prevents intake of the bacteria causing the Bali Belly. It hurts a but this list because I do like street food.
Don’t expose yourself to too much new food and drinks in Bali. Limiting these will give your body time to adjust to a new eating habit. However fresh fruits are a good choice for boosting your immune system.
Another preventive measure to consider before traveling to Bali is the intake of probiotics (like Yakult or yogurt). These beneficial bacteria can bolster your gut health, potentially offering some resistance against harmful bacteria you might ingest. While they’re no guarantee against Bali Belly, they might lessen the severity of symptoms or decrease the likelihood of infection.
Children and Bali Belly: Extra Precautions
Children, particularly young ones, can be more susceptible to Bali Belly due to their developing immune systems. If traveling with kids, ensure they understand the importance of not consuming tap water – this includes when brushing their teeth. Use bottled water for them to brush teeth. Also, make it a routine to have them wash their hands frequently, especially before meals.
What (medication) helps with Bali Belly
For elevated temperature and fever you can take paracetamol or panadol. This helps lowering the temperature. For Diarrhea you can take Norrit, Imodium or any charcoal activated medicine against diarrhea.
which can be found at local stores. These tablets are vital as they help absorb the toxins in your system, potentially speeding up recovery.
Salak, is a great Indonesian fruit helping your immune system and helps against loose and watery stool. Drink plenty of water, and drink a bottle of gatorade, pocari sweat as well, or any isotonic drink for that matter.
While no one plans for health challenges during vacations, it’s essential to be prepared. Ensure you have travel insurance when visiting Bali. Should you need medical attention, many hospitals and medical centers can facilitate your insurance claims directly, easing the process.
cognizing the Difference: Bali Belly vs. Regular Upset Stomach
Sometimes, a change in diet, such as consuming more tropical fruits or spicy foods than you’re used to, can result in an upset stomach. This doesn’t necessarily mean you have Bali Belly. Recognizing the difference can prevent unnecessary panic. An upset stomach due to diet change usually resolves itself within a day, while Bali Belly tends to persist and comes with more severe symptoms.
Where to seek medical help
For those seeking medical attention, some well-recommended hospitals and clinics in the main tourist areas of Bali include:
- BIMC Hospitals:
- BIMC Hospital Kuta: This was one of the first hospitals on the island to cater specifically to tourists. It’s well-equipped and provides a range of medical services.
- BIMC Hospital Nusa Dua: Similar to its counterpart in Kuta, but located in the Nusa Dua area.
- Siloam Hospitals Denpasar: This is one of the larger hospitals on the island and offers a comprehensive range of medical services.
- Kasih Ibu Hospital:
- Kasih Ibu Hospital Denpasar: A private hospital that caters to both locals and foreigners.
- Kasih Ibu Hospital Kuta: A branch of the hospital located in the Kuta area.
- International SOS Clinic: While not a full-fledged hospital, the International SOS clinic in Bali offers emergency care, routine medical consultations, and some specialized treatments. It’s often frequented by expats and tourists.
- Ubud Clinic: Located in the cultural heart of Bali, Ubud, this clinic caters to a lot of tourists and expats in the area.
- Prima Medika Hospital: Located in Denpasar, it’s a well-established medical facility providing a range of services.
- BaliMed Hospital: Another hospital in Denpasar offering a wide range of medical services.
- Bali Travellers & Expat Health Clinic Sanur
Flying with Bali Belly
We don’t recommend flying if you are unable to keep food and water down or if you are vomiting and have diarrhea regularly. If you are past the peak of your illness it may be possible, however.
- Always consider informing the flight crew if Bali Belly symptoms arise during a flight. They can lock off a bathroom for you, preventing further spread to other passengers.
- Even if you’re feeling better, remember that flying can dehydrate your body, so it’s essential to stay hydrated.
Good luck with this I hope the article helps.
Hi I am Dwi. I am a blogger, travel agent and a mom of a lovely daughter and wife to a supportive husband. I customize and plan tours in Bali and islands nearby for a living and have been doing this for more than 14 years. Get in touch via contact [at] taletravels.com