How to prevent Bali belly and other things

[markjaffa]

I know people who have had good success with boiled rice and bananas as a "stop gap measure" once you have the dreaded Belly. In over seven years of living/travelling through Asia I have never had any problems-touch wood!

[tuppyholeman]

Drink more beer.

A lot of advice that is sometimes given in various guide books is not very practical. A few easy tips.

If it is not bottled- dont drink it. That said, any liquid you consume should be bottled. Leave off the juices, ice, shakes ect... Drink beer and water. Lots of water..

If it is not cooked, dont eat it. This includes salad (devils food), any extra bits added to your burger or sandwich. You can generally not go wrong eating local food if it is cooked.

If you can't peel it, dont eat it. Includes fruit salads and anything preprepared for you.

The other option is when you first arrive, brush your teeth in the local water. Might help slowly build up some tolerance (might). Or the other one, eat everything and have fun. If you get crook, deal with it then, may as well have the whole experience. You can limit the risk factors, but it will be something you dont expect that will cause you contanimation. Don't spoil your fun being too paranoid.

[flapydog]

Bindang mix with gin and arak

[au_rick]

Bali belly is actually a parasite that enters the food chain via faesces.
Generally due to locals not washing hands after going to the toilet..

Once you have it, you need antibiotics - generally administered by a needle in the backside, although you can get it in pill form in Australia.

I have heard that Bintang before a meal, and red cordial (strange but true) are effective at preventing it.

Don't confuse Bali belly with travellers tummy (diarrhoea that lasts a day or two) which is very common when travelling due to a sudden change of diet.

[gee13]

That looks like a nice roasted babi guling!!! Awesome stuff. Anyone privileged to eat this delicacy is well....privileged (so sadly sorry if you're muslim)

[Mick T]

I'm with Chriso, only drink Bintang!

[Alfred]

Bindang mix with gin and arak

Babi Guling!!

[flapydog]

Never had it but I think because in Australia we have more sterile life. Yes is Bibi Guling at Martas dive shop at Toulamben its thru awesome stuff.

[tammyg]

Hey John
That looks like Suka carving up the pig???
Just got back from Tulamben this morning, great trip!
cheers
tammy

[RedSeaDiver]

I'm lucky in that I've spent plenty of time in dodgy places so my stomach is nearly bullet proof (there's a lot of bugs between Cairo and Calcutta), but when travelling I've always had ice, salads, etc - my only concessions to bugs is to drink bottled water. The greek salad at the restaurant opposite Wreck Divers in Tulamben is just awesome.

[xNARCOSISx]

The greek salad at the restaurant opposite Wreck Divers in Tulamben is just awesome.

[/quote]


Wyans wouldnt eat anywere else.

Logged up twenty plus days in Tulamben and never been crook.

Always eat and drink things that start with B.

[Bushy]

When I was up at the Rowley Shoals alot of people on the boat caught gastro which we suspect one of the 4 doctors brought onboard. Unfortunately for me I was one of the last to catch it and spent all night shitting through the eye of a needle. Anyway long story short the intensive care doctor that was on the trip did a house call and gave me two Kwells and two Panadol. He said within 30 minutes I should be right although he did say drink plenty of water as the Kwells will dry you up. Sure enough 30 minutes later I was bunged up and my days on the toilet came to an end. My mouth was as dry as the Gibson Desert but water helped with that.

He also told me Immodium and those types of tablets are not as effective and keep the bug inside you for longer. I recommend this method to everyone now...will be taking Kwells and Panodol to Borneo.

[RedSeaDiver]

Do you remember which type of Panadol? It might be helpful for dive buddies who don't have internals made from 316 stainless.