Does Bali Belly make you sick?

Bali Belly is just another expression for food poisoning (or stomach flu/gastroenteritis medically speaking). Gastroenteritis is technically an inflammation of the stomach, but most people would recognise it by its more well-known symptoms: diarrhoea and/or vomiting1.



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Yes, Bali belly happens. But NO it does not happen to everyone, and YES you can easily prevent it happening to you by preventing and being prepared to fight any indigestion/stomach issues that come up while traveling!

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Bland diet is a way to go, options are those easily digested foods. You can eat soup and stews, bananas, potatoes, rice, bone broth or clear soup, apples and applesauce, also white bread. The key is to consume simple carbohydrates, minerals from vegetables, fiber and salt.

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Taking probiotics, which are live bacteria and yeasts that are good for your gut health, can help prevent Bali belly. They can be found in supplement form or in certain foods such as yogurt. Taking probiotics can help prevent and treat Bali belly by restoring the balance of good bacteria in your gut.

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Traveler's diarrhea is a digestive tract disorder that commonly causes loose stools and stomach cramps. It's caused by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. Fortunately, traveler's diarrhea usually isn't serious in most people — it's just unpleasant.

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Some people believe that drinking Yakult for a few weeks before travelling and while in Bali will increase the good bacteria in their gut to fight off any nasty stomach bugs. This is not medically proven so still take all other precautions.

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On average, 30% to 50% of tourists are affected by 'Bali belly' during their vacations. 'Delhi belly', 'Montezuma's revenge', and 'Traveller's diarrhoea' are just some of the other names for similar cases.

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Yes, bali belly can be contagious. Bacteria, viruses and parasites can all be transmitted from person to person and in food and water. This is why the advice on personal hygiene, particularly hand washing and not touching your face if you are looking after someone who is sick, is so important.

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The time it takes food poisoning symptoms to start can vary. Illness often starts in about 1 to 3 days. But symptoms can start any time from 30 minutes to 3 weeks after eating contaminated food. The length of time depends on the type of bacteria or virus causing the illness.

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The tap water in Bali isn't recommended for drinking, so avoid it and stick to sealed bottled water. That includes steering clear of more than you might think, including ice in drinks, brushing your teeth with tap water, ingesting water in the shower, and food that has been washed in tap water.

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It's your body's reaction to unfamiliar pathogens often found in local food and water, resulting from different hygiene standards than many visitors are used to. Most times, bacteria such as E. Coli cause Bali Belly but viruses or protozoans present in untreated water can also trigger this condition.

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