Influencer shocks with confronting Bali belly video: 'Every ten minutes'
One traveller has shown Bali belly up close and personal leaving people in stitches.
The dreaded Bali belly, also known as "traveller diarrhoea", is a well-known sickness that can wipe out any enthusiastic tourist adventuring through the popular Asian hotspot.
One US travel influencer proved this recently after sharing an old video she'd left hidden in her TikTok drafts for a year, showing an "embarrassing" insight into when she experienced it herself while in Bali.
Although she posted a "warning" video first to alert followers of what she was about to share, the "gross" video has been viewed over 1.8 million times by horrified and empathetic people across the globe.
Do you have a story about travelling? Contact reporter Laura Koefoed at laura.koefoed@yahooinc.com
In the viral video, Aili, who was in the midst of her bout of Bali Belly, starts off by sharing that "nothing could have prepared" her for what she was experiencing.
"It's about every 10 ..." she says before stopping and running off-camera to the toilet.
The video then cuts to her saying "It’s about above every ten minutes and it’s so painful". Before you can then hear her using the toilet — leaving little to the imagination.
Though many laughed along, the reactions also ranged from downright shocked and grossed out, to empathetic. "Same! Running from the swimming pool to bathroom ... swimsuit didn't survive!" a fellow Bali-belly victim replied.
Warning: the end of the below video may be too "gross" for some.
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Bali belly dos and don'ts
For those like Aili who have the misfortune of contracting Bali belly while in Indonesia, the best thing to do is to focus on hydration "especially if it's a child" and use a medication called Imodium to help "slow down the frequency of bowel actions," Chair of Travel Medicine and Executive Dean at Bond University Nicholas Zwar previously told Yahoo News Australia.
"If you were really quite unwell with fever or blood in the stool, or very severe cramping, you may need to see a doctor and they might prescribe an antibiotic if it's bacterial," he said. "Most traveller's diarrhoea will get better in three to five days even if it's not treated with antibiotics."
Top tips for avoiding Bali belly:
Bottled water: Stick to bottled water and avoid consuming tap water or ice made from tap water.
Avoid raw foods: Eat only at reputable restaurants and food vendors, and make sure food is thoroughly cooked and served hot.
Fruit and vegetables: Peel or wash them with bottled water before consuming.
Wash hands often: Use soap and clean water, especially before eating.
Falling ill in Bali can be costly
Earlier this year, one Aussie was hit with a whopping $700 bill after visiting a doctor for a bad case of 'Bali Belly'.
Allianz Travel told Yahoo that generally speaking, claims arising from Bali belly are covered. "All claims are assessed on a case-by-case basis and a decision is made once this assessment is complete," they continued.
Adrian Taylor, Compare the Market's General Manager for General Insurance added that it's important to be sure that the medical staff you’re seeking treatment from are qualified and in compliance with the medical coverage offered by your insurer. "Unfortunately, we've heard instances where people try to get treatment and end up out of pocket significantly because the medical staff may not be qualified or the treatment may not be effective," he said.
To get advice on where to seek medical help while travelling, phone your travel insurance or check out the Australian Consulate in Bali's list of hospitals and medical services.
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