What is Bali Belly?

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What is Bali Belly?

causes
prevention
treatment
Authored by Dr on 07.08.2019
Medically Reviewed by Dr Mira GATES
Last updated on 18.10.2021

What causes Bali Belly?

  • Bali Belly is also known as “Traveller’s Diarrhoea”
  • It comes from eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water
  • You get watery diarrhoea, and sometimes vomiting, fever, bloating or tummy cramps.
  • It usually lasts between 1 and 5 days
  • In 10% of people it lasts more than 2 weeks
  • There are other conditions you need to consider. Dysentery leads to blood or mucus in your poo- urgent medical attention is required. Giardia is a specific parasite that causes lots of farting, bloating, tummy pains. It tends to last a long time.

treatment for Bali Belly

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How can you avoid Bali Belly?

There are a few tips that may help you avoid getting Bali Belly.

  • Make sure all meat and seafood is thoroughly cooked (not raw or rare)
  • Avoid the following foods while travelling:
    • Sushi
    • Unpasteurised dairy products milk/cheese/ice cream
    • Raw and peeled fruit and vegetables
    • Green leafy vegetables like spinach or lettuce
    • Sauces or mayonnaise
    • Street vendor food
    • Buffet food
    • Food that was hot but has been left to cool
  • Water:
    • Don’t drink tap water
    • Don’t use tap water to brush your teeth
    • Don’t use ice made from tap water (though the government-issued ice is fine)
    • Drink bottled water – carbonated is best
    • If you wish to drink tap water, you must boil it continuously for more than 5 minutes first
    • Water filters and chemical treatments are unreliable
  • Hygiene:
    • Wash your hands after using the toilet
    • Wash, then completely dry your hands before preparing or eating food
    • Using alcohol hand sanitiser gel if you are unable to wash your hands
  • Swimming:
    • Avoid getting water in your mouth when swimming in pools or in the sea
    • Don’t swim if you have any open cuts or grazes
    • Don’t swim if you have Bali belly (as you may spread the illness)
    • Don’t swim in pools that look cloudy
  • Children
    • Don’t allow them to crawl around
    • Wash, then dry their hands before they put them in their mouths
    • Follow the water precautions described above when making up formula milk
  • Other measures
    • It’s possible that taking probiotics (usually marketed as yoghurts, drinks or tablets) reduces the chances of getting Bali belly
    • Getting the cholera vaccination (which is given orally) before you travel may also reduce the chances of getting Bali belly
    • Certain medications for gastritis or reflux can increase the chances of getting Bali belly
      • You should not stop them suddenly if you’re taking them regularly
      • You may wish to discuss this with your family doctor
      • You can reduce the risk by taking them before bed instead of in the morning

What is the treatment for Bali Belly?

  • No matter how careful you are, you may still be unlucky, and unfortunately, getting Bali Belly once doesn’t protect against future illnesses
  • The most important thing is to avoid dehydration, by taking plenty of fluids. Oral rehydration salts can help- these are available at pharmacies.
  • Antibiotics have been shown to help in some cases
  • Medications to treat nausea and prevent vomiting may help
  • It may help to avoid dairy foods for a while (milk/cheese/cream/ice cream)
  • Stick to simple, plain foods like toast
  • It is safe to take anti-diarrhoea medications if needed- speak to your pharmacist about over-the-counter treatment options. There is NO evidence that anti-diarrhoea medications stop “bacteria or poisons from leaving the body”. 

If you have concerns about Bali Belly, particularly if symptoms are severe, make sure you see a doctor as soon as possible.

Article Resources & further information

www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Mayo Clinic

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