Is it common to get Bali Belly?

Bali Belly is one of Bali's least popular attractions, but unfortunately it is all too common among visitors to the island. Bali Belly is just another expression for food poisoning (or stomach flu/gastroenteritis medically speaking).



People Also Ask

But it's not all deckchairs on the beach and cocktails around the pool. The Travel Doctor estimates 30-50% of Aussie tourists will experience a bout of Bali Belly.

MORE DETAILS

There are a few tips that may help you avoid getting Bali Belly. Avoid the following foods while travelling: Sushi. Unpasteurised dairy products milk/cheese/ice cream.

MORE DETAILS

Contaminated water Next to food, contaminated water is one of the most common causes of Bali Belly. Tap water in Indonesia is inconsistent in quality, so it's recommended that all travellers stick to bottled water. To reduce your risks of ingesting contaminated water, avoid: Ice in your drinks.

MORE DETAILS

This illness can occur at any time during the trip, or even after the person gets home. It is usually a self-limiting condition that clears up after a few days. It is often caused by eating contaminated food or water.

MORE DETAILS

Stick to a bland diet: Avoid food with spices and oil, dairy products, and alcohol, as well as limit both vegetable and fruit intake. Better grab some easily digested foods like soups and stews, potatoes, rice or bananas.

MORE DETAILS

Avoid pre-chopped or packaged fruits that may have been sitting out for too long. Too much spicy food can make your stomach upset and make you more likely to get sick from food. Be cautious of dishes labeled as “extra spicy” or “very hot.”

MORE DETAILS

How can you avoid Bali Belly?
  1. Make sure all meat and seafood is thoroughly cooked (not raw or rare)
  2. Avoid the following foods while travelling: Sushi. Unpasteurised dairy products milk/cheese/ice cream. ...
  3. Water: Don't drink tap water. Don't use tap water to brush your teeth. ...
  4. Hygiene: Wash your hands after using the toilet.


MORE DETAILS

While it isn't particularly common, tourists can get Bali belly twice. This is because many different bacteria and viruses are known to cause the ailment, and contracting it once will not make you immune to all of them.

MORE DETAILS

CAUSES OF BALI BELLY Contaminated food and water are the biggest culprits for carriers, and keep in mind it is not necessarily the last meal you ate: symptoms can appear as soon as one hour after ingestion, and up to 48 hours later (and even weeks later in some cases)1,3.

MORE DETAILS

Most cases of Bali Belly typically occur within the first week of visiting the island and can often last for a couple of days as your stomach adjusts to the foreign bacteria in the food and water.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

Unless you know it's a reputable venue, salads and raw foods are typically a no-go, as they're often rinsed in tap water. Fruit that has been pre-chopped or packaged is also risky, as there is a greater chance it's been handled.

MORE DETAILS

Your poor belly will be in turmoil, so don't make matters any more unpleasant by eating spicy, rich food, drinking caffeinated beverages or alcohol, and eating fruit or fermented foods. All of these foods are likely to cause further bloating, dehydration, diarrhoea or digestive turmoil generally.

MORE DETAILS

Bali Belly can leave patients extremely dehydrated. An IV helps quickly replenish not only fluids, but essential electrolytes and sugar.

MORE DETAILS

Travellers' diarrhoea tends to happen in the first week of travel. Symptoms last on average 3 to 5 days and usually get better without you needing specific treatment.

MORE DETAILS

Learn some ways to treat travelers' diarrhea
  1. Drink lots of fluids. If you get diarrhea, drink lots of fluids to stay hydrated. ...
  2. Take over-the-counter drugs. Several drugs, such as loperamide, can be bought over-the-counter to treat the symptoms of diarrhea. ...
  3. Only take antibiotics if needed.


MORE DETAILS