While Asia is a cultural destination widely loved due to culinary delights of the region, some have bad memories caused by the dreaded gastro bug - also known as Bali belly.
It is important to be aware of the traps people can fall into when travelling and eating in Asia, so you can avoid becoming unwell on your holiday.
Gastroenteritis - commonly refered to as gastro or travellers’ diarrhoea - is an infection of the gut.
About 20 to 50% of people travelling to developing countries will be affected by travellers’ diarrhoea, the majority of which are caused by bacterial infections due to poor sanitation and hygiene. Other causes of gastro include viral infections and parasites.
Gastro may result in a mild form of the illness, causing an upset stomach and mild diarrhoea.
However, it may be more severe, with nausea, vomiting, significant diarrhoea and high temperatures. Symptoms should only last a few days, but sometimes can persist for longer leading to dehydration that possibly requires medical attention.
Now knowing what gastro is and its effects, here are some helpful tips to avoid the illness and stay healthy when travelling!
So now you have equipped yourself with some good tips to help prevent gastro while travelling, you can confidently go out and discover, enjoy and explore Asia and all it has to offer.
Dr Jane Read is a Sydney-based GP Registrar who also holds a Masters Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Deakin University in Melbourne. In addition to working in general practice, Jane works as a freelance nutrition and medical writer, and has been a nutrition consultant to various corporate clients.
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