Bali, a renowned tropical paradise, captivates millions of tourists each year with its stunning beaches, rich culture, and intriguing cuisine. However, one of the most widely searched terms associated with Bali is "Bali Belly," a dreaded gastrointestinal ailment that can dampen the joy of any vacation. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the nature of Bali Belly, explore its causes, and provide practical strategies to prevent and manage this common traveler's affliction. 

What is Bali Belly?

Bali Belly, also known as traveler's diarrhea, is a widespread condition that affects a significant portion of visitors to the island of Bali. It is characterized by a range of gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, and occasionally vomiting. The severity of Bali Belly can vary, with some individuals experiencing mild discomfort while others may face more severe and debilitating symptoms.

What are the Symptoms of Bali Belly?

Symptoms usually start within 1 to 10 days. The symptoms of bali belly include:

• Bloated stomach, stomach cramps and abdominal pain
• Diarrhoea - loose & watery stools
• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Sweating
• Lethargy
• Fever or high temperature

What Causes Bali Belly?

Why is Bali Belly so common? The primary cause of Bali Belly is the consumption of contaminated food or water. Bali, as a tropical destination, is susceptible to a variety of infectious agents that can trigger gastrointestinal distress in travelers. These include bacteria, viruses, and parasites, which can be found in improperly prepared or stored food, as well as in untreated water sources.

Why Are You So at Risk in Bali?

While Bali may seem like a familiar destination for many travellers around the world, it's crucial to remember that it's a unique environment with its own set of health risks. Understanding these risks is the key to enjoying a Bali Belly-free holiday.

Water

Bali is a developing country and the water supply is not fit for human consumption. Locals and Asians in general are used to this and their gut biomes have adapted to fight these but for travellers from western coutnries are the one who mostly fall victim to Bali Belly.

Food

The warm tropical, humid weather in Bali can accelerate the growth of bacteria on food, making it important to be extra cautious when consuming food and water.

Some cooks in Indonesia may not be educated or have the equipment needed for safe food handling practice. They may serve food that could cause food poisoning due to:

• poor refrigeration during transit and storage
• cross-contamination during handling
• food not being kept hot enough after cooking
• reheating food after cooking    

Also, the personal hygiene of food handlers and preparers may be poor. Any infection or bacteria they have may pass to consumers on the food they have handled.

How to Avoid Bali Belly: Prevention Tips

Follow these essential tips to minimize the risk of falling ill:

• Drink boiled or bottled water - Bali's tap water is unsafe for consumption.
• Practice good hand hygiene - Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before eating.
• Order drinks without ice if you're uncertain about the source of the water.
• Avoid washing fruits or vegetables with tap water.
• Use bottled water for brushing your teeth and refrain from ingesting water while showering.
• Opt for freshly cooked food, and avoid consuming food that has been sitting out at room temperature.

What food should you avoid eating in Bali?

Delicious and affordable Indonesian cuisine is a major attraction for tourists, but it is also a common cause of food poisoning.

To lower your chances of getting sick, we advise against consuming the following foods in Bali:

• Avoid purchasing food from street vendors; opt for hotels and reputable restaurants instead.
• Be cautious of leafy green vegetables and salads, as they may have been contaminated during the washing process with tap water.
• Do not consume rare or undercooked meats, as they may contain bacteria that can cause food poisoning.
• Exercise caution when consuming seafood.
• Be particularly wary of undercooked chicken.
• Don't eat hot food that has gone cold by the time it is served.
• Stay away from buffets, as food left out at room temperature can harbor a high level of bacteria.
• Refrain from consuming unpasteurized dairy products.
• Be mindful of the cleanliness of glasses, cutlery, and plates.
• Avoid eating peeled fruit.
• Don't forget to wash your hands

Even a brief contact with a door handle can transfer bacteria, viruses, and parasites. When you are out and about, refrain from touching your face and, most importantly, wash your hands before consuming any food in Bali.

It's advisable to use hand sanitizer on both hands before eating a snack or meal. Keep a bottle of sanitizer with you at all times. Baby wipes are also useful for cleaning dirty hands and faces. Use an alcohol-based sanitizer to eliminate germs, even if you have washed your hands with water.

Is Bali Belly Contagious?

Yes, it can indeed be contagious, as bacteria, viruses, and parasites responsible for the condition can spread from person to person, as well as through contaminated food and water. This is why maintaining good personal hygiene, including frequent handwashing and refraining from touching your face, is crucial, especially when caring for someone who is unwell.

Treatment Tips for Bali Belly - Curing It

Bali Belly can either be a brief, intense illness lasting just 24 hours or a longer one that can persist for up to 4 or 5 days.

The following treatments and medications are accessible for addressing Bali Belly:

• For managing diarrhea - Diapet (Bali) or Imodium (Australia & Bali). Using activated charcol tablet like Norit can also help, which can be easily found in local pharmacy in Bali.
• For combating dehydration - beverages such as Gatorade or Pocari Sweat (Bali)
• Antibiotics – commonly available in Bali without a prescription, they can be detrimental if the type of infection is unknown. Only take antibiotics when prescribed by a doctor.
• For relieving pain and fever - consider pain relief medications like Panadol and Nurofen
• For dealing with nausea and vomiting - medications that are recommended by a pharmacist or doctor
• Nausea - Utilize charcoal tablets

If you are too unwell to go to a pharmacy, have someone go for you or send GoJek app to pick up from near by pharmacy. 

If a family member is suffering from Bali Belly and you are taking care of them, ensure to utilize latex gloves when cleaning up any mess. Keep their towel and soap separate from yours and request regular changing of the bed sheets. Use hand sanitizer frequently and avoid touching your face.

What to Eat and Drink While you Recover from Bali Belly

Dehydration is the primary concern when experiencing a stomach upset. If your urine appears dark yellow, it's important to replenish your body's fluids. Along with increasing water intake, it's essential to replace lost electrolytes with rehydration drinks or sachets. Bali Belly symptoms can last up to 5 days, so staying hydrated is crucial for recovery.

Eating the right foods can aid in rehydration and alleviate the symptoms of Bali Belly.

For the first one or two days, eat when hungry and stick to a simple diet. It may take a couple of weeks before you feel well enough to return to your usual diet. In the meantime, there are stomach-friendly foods to help with recovery. If you are still in Bali, finding or preparing some of these foods might be challenging.

• Water crackers – easy to digest and keep down, an ideal initial food choice
• Bananas – rich in potassium, an electrolyte lost during diarrhea. Avoid pre-peeled fruit.
• Apples or Applesauce – contain carbohydrates and pectin (a form of fiber) which can improve stool firmness.
• Potatoes – a source of carbohydrates and calories, which can also improve stool firmness.
• Rice – higher in fiber, it may reduce the frequency of diarrhea.
• White toast – consume without any toppings for an easily digestible meal that can provide energy and improve stool firmness.
• Soup and stew – offer plenty of well-cooked vegetables, water, and salt for rehydration and replenishing lost minerals. Avoid creamy soups.
• Bone broth or clear soup – beneficial for hydration and replenishing lost salts.
• Avoid fatty or spicy foods, and refrain from consuming milk, coffee, or alcohol until fully recovered.

Natural Remedy for Bali Belly

Regular visitors to Bali have various beliefs about what works and what doesn't when it comes to treating and preventing Bali belly. Some natural remedies for Bali Belly include:

• Raspberry Cordial: According to a research study at Charles Sturt University, raspberry and blackcurrant cordials and juice can eliminate 12 different types of bacteria. However, there have been no human clinical trials, so it's unclear whether they can actually prevent stomach bugs.
• Coconut Juice: It's believed that the green coconuts in Bali can help prevent and treat Bali Belly because the juice is rich in minerals that can boost the immune system and rehydrate the body.
• Probiotic Drinks: Some individuals think that consuming Yakult for a few weeks before traveling to Bali and during their stay will increase the beneficial bacteria in their gut to combat any harmful stomach bugs.

There is no medical evidence to support this, so it's important to take all other necessary precautions.

Risk of Other Food-Borne Infections while in Bali

It's important to be aware of the risk of other food-borne infections. In rare cases, someone suffering from food poisoning may not recover within the usual timeframe of 24 hours to one week and may be suffering from a complication of Bali Belly or a worse infection. Here are some specific risks to look out for:

Tapeworms: Tapeworms can be found in undercooked pork, beef, and fish. The illness can range from few symptoms to life-threatening problems. Infected individuals can pass on the infection by not washing their hands before preparing food. Symptoms can include abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, nausea, and vitamin and mineral deficiencies. To prevent this, avoid eating any raw or undercooked meats and be cautious with fruits and salad while traveling.

Giardia: This is a gut infection caused by a small parasite that attaches to the large intestine in large numbers. Symptoms usually appear seven to ten days after infection and include diarrhea and stomach cramps. The parasite can infect people through polluted water, eating uncooked food, or food prepared by someone with Giardia who didn’t wash their hands after using the toilet.

Salmonella: Salmonella is an illness caused by undercooked poultry and is also found in seafood, meat, peanuts, fruit, and vegetables. Symptoms include stomach cramps, diarrhea, and fever, usually appearing 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. While recovery takes four to seven days in healthy people, children, the elderly, and individuals with suppressed immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness, even death.

Campylobacter: The most common source is undercooked poultry, but it can also be found in the water source of developing countries. The infection can last for one week and cause diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and fever.

Hepatitis A: Food and water can become contaminated by a restaurant worker with hepatitis A. To reduce the risk of contracting hepatitis A while traveling, avoid uncooked food. Symptoms can take 2 to 7 weeks after exposure to appear and may include extreme tiredness, loss of appetite, weight loss, fever, sore muscles, and yellow skin. Recovery can take a few months, and hospitalization may be required in case of liver problems. A blood test can confirm if you are infected or have been infected in the past.

Can You Get Bali Belly After Returning Home?

If you contract food poisoning late in your trip, the symptoms of Bali Belly may not be apparent until after you return home. If you are still experiencing the effects of Bali Belly after returning home, it's essential to see your GP. Your doctor may ask for a stool sample to confirm the bacteria causing the illness and prescribe the most effective treatment. It's important to note that having had Bali Belly once doesn't make you immune for your next trip.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while Bali's captivating beauty and vibrant culture draw millions of visitors annually, it is essential to be aware of potential health risks, such as Bali Belly, that could impact your trip. By understanding the causes and symptoms of this common travel ailment and implementing preventive measures, you can significantly reduce your risk of experiencing gastrointestinal distress. Remember to stay vigilant with your food and water consumption, practice good hygiene, and be prepared with appropriate treatments in case you do fall ill. By taking these precautions, you can enjoy all that Bali has to offer without the worry of Bali Belly disrupting your vacation.

To ensure your travels are as enjoyable as possible, follow our detailed tips on prevention and treatment, stay informed about other potential food-borne infections, and always prioritize your health and safety. With the right preparation, you can make the most of your time in this tropical paradise, creating unforgettable memories while staying healthy and well.