If you’ve never had it before, you’ve certainly heard about it. It’ll turn any holiday into a total nightmare. Bali Belly. Ugh. Just saying those words gives you shivers. But there are tricks to help avoid being struck down by it, and to survive through it.
As they say, prevention is the best medicine. But if you do cop it, then Hydralyte can help you stay hydrated by replacing water and those important electrolytes.
What is Bali Belly?
Bali Belly (or your classic traveller’s tummy bug) can be caused by a range of naughty little micro-organisms who decide to play havoc with your insides. These can include:
- Bacteria
- Parasites
- Viruses
- And some we have no idea about. But they’re very annoying and can ruin your holiday.
What are the symptoms?
Put simply, you feel like death warmed up. ‘Don’t talk to me, don’t come near me, leave me alone’. Sound familiar? Well, this can all be attributed to the likes of:
- Nausea
- Bloating
- Stomach cramps
- Get me to the toilet, and fast
- And when you get there, you’re going non-stop
- A temperature
- Vomiting
- And a feeling of lethargy – or by its correct scientific term: feeling blahhh
How does it get you?
A tummy bug can creep up and strike like a ninja. And its arsenal of weapons is quite mundane – usually things you wouldn’t even think could cause sickness. For instance, you can get a tummy bug from:
- Water used to clean certain vegetables and fruits
- Certain vegetables and fruits themselves
- Unhygienically prepared food
- Seafood – especially if it’s raw or under-cooked
- Street food from dodgy-looking vendors
- Your popular buffet
- Tap water
- Ice cubes
- Utensils or crockery that haven’t been washed or dried properly
- A variety of countries including Indonesia, India and Singapore, the USA and the UK
How to get rid of it
A tummy bug usually clears up in 3 to 4 days. What’s important during this time is that you stay hydrated. Say it again: stay hydrated.
To help keep your electrolytes up – and hydration – go to your travelling first aid kit (of course you packed one!) and grab your Hydralyte Electrolyte Powder or Hydralyte Effervescent Electrolyte Tablets.
Also, keep up your clean water intake (if you think the tap water may be the cause, make sure you boil it first or use bottled water), and keep taking any medication prescribed to you by a health professional. And be sure to rest in a cool room.
Oh, and you know that toilet? Stay close to it. It’s your best friend.
References:
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/travellers-diarrhoea