What to Do If You Get Sick in Bali: A Tourist's Complete Guide

Getting sick while traveling sucks. One minute you're enjoying Bali's beaches, the next you're stuck in your hotel room feeling like absolute garbage. Whether it's Bali belly, a random fever, or just feeling off, knowing what to do can turn a vacation disaster into a minor bump.

Here's your complete guide to handling illness in Bali, from recognizing symptoms to finding medical help fast.

Common Tourist Illnesses in Bali

Most travelers who get sick in Bali deal with one of these issues:

Bali Belly (Food Poisoning) The classic tourist problem. Symptoms hit fast: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps. Usually caused by contaminated food or water. Can last 1-5 days depending on severity.

Dehydration Bali's heat is no joke. Combined with humidity, alcohol, and not drinking enough water, dehydration sneaks up on you. Signs include dizziness, headaches, dark urine, and extreme fatigue.

Sunstroke and Heat Exhaustion Spending hours at the beach or exploring temples under direct sun can lead to heat-related illness. Symptoms: heavy sweating, weakness, cold clammy skin, fast pulse, nausea.

Dengue Fever Mosquito-borne illness common in tropical areas. Symptoms appear 4-10 days after being bitten: high fever, severe headache, pain behind eyes, joint pain, rash. This one requires medical attention.

Minor Cuts and Infections Small wounds can get infected quickly in Bali's humid climate. Watch for redness, swelling, or pus around any cuts or scrapes.

When to Seek Medical Help vs. Self-Care

Not every illness needs a hospital visit. Here's how to tell the difference:

Handle at your accommodation if:

• Mild Bali belly with no blood in stool

• Light dehydration (you can still keep fluids down)

• Minor headache or fatigue

• Small cuts that aren't infected

See a doctor or clinic if:

• Severe vomiting or diarrhea lasting more than 24 hours

• Blood in vomit or stool

• High fever (above 38.5°C / 101°F)

• Signs of severe dehydration (can't keep water down, extremely low urination)

• Chest pain or difficulty breathing

• Infected wounds with spreading redness

• Symptoms of dengue (high fever + severe body pain)

Go to emergency room immediately if:

• Loss of consciousness

• Severe allergic reaction

• Suspected dengue with warning signs (bleeding, severe abdominal pain)

• Extreme dehydration

Where to Find Medical Help in Bali

Bali has solid medical infrastructure in tourist areas. Here's where to go based on your location and needs:

International Hospitals (Full Service)

BIMC Hospital (Multiple Locations) Locations in Kuta, Nusa Dua, and Ubud. Western standard care, English-speaking staff, handles insurance claims directly. Open 24/7. Good for serious issues.

Siloam Hospital (Denpasar) Large modern hospital, full emergency services, specialist doctors available. Accepts international insurance.

Tourist-Friendly Clinics (Minor Illnesses)

Toya Medika Clinic (Seminyak, Canggu, Sanur) Walk-in clinic popular with expats and tourists. Handles Bali belly, minor infections, prescriptions. Reasonable prices.

Unicare Clinic (Seminyak) 24-hour clinic, good for urgent but non-emergency issues. IV drips available for dehydration.

Reset Room Bali (Seminyak) Specializes in rapid recovery treatments including medical-grade IV therapy. Perfect for Bali belly, dehydration, hangovers, and jet lag. Same-day appointments, no hospital wait times.

Pharmacies

Guardian, Kimia Farma, and Century pharmacies are everywhere in tourist areas. Many medications available over-the-counter that would require prescriptions elsewhere. Pharmacists speak basic English and can recommend treatments for minor issues.

What you can get without prescription:

• Imodium (diarrhea)

• Paracetamol / Ibuprofen (pain, fever)

• Antihistamines (allergies)

• Antibiotics (some types)

• Electrolyte powders

• Anti-nausea medication

The Fastest Way to Recover: IV Therapy

If you're dealing with Bali belly, severe dehydration, or exhaustion and need to recover fast, IV therapy is the most efficient option.

Why IV works faster than oral rehydration:

When you're vomiting or have diarrhea, your gut can't absorb fluids and nutrients properly. Drinking water or electrolyte solutions helps, but it's slow and you might throw it back up.

IV therapy bypasses your digestive system entirely. Fluids, electrolytes, vitamins, and anti-nausea medication go directly into your bloodstream. Most people feel significantly better within 30-45 minutes.

What's in a typical recovery IV:

• 500-1000ml saline solution (rapid rehydration)

• Electrolytes (sodium, potassium, magnesium)

• Anti-nausea medication (stops vomiting fast)

• B-vitamins (energy restoration)

• Vitamin C (immune support)

When IV therapy makes sense:

• Severe Bali belly where you can't keep liquids down

• Extreme dehydration from heat or alcohol

• You have limited time (need to recover before a flight or important plans)

• Oral rehydration isn't working after 12+ hours

Reset Room Bali offers same-day IV treatments specifically designed for tourists. No hospital bureaucracy, just walk in and get treated. Most sessions take 45 minutes and you're back to your vacation.

[Internal Link: IV Therapy Services]

Self-Care Steps for Common Issues

Bali Belly Treatment at Your Hotel

1. Stop eating solid food for 12-24 hours

2. Sip water or electrolyte solution slowly (small amounts every 15 minutes)

3. Take Imodium only if you need to travel (not if you have fever or bloody stool)

4. Rest completely

5. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, dairy, and greasy food

6. When ready to eat, start with plain rice or bananas

Dehydration Recovery

1. Get out of the sun immediately

2. Drink water slowly (chugging can cause vomiting)

3. Add electrolyte powder or coconut water

4. Rest in air conditioning if possible

5. Monitor urine color (should be pale yellow)

6. If you can't keep water down after 4 hours, get IV fluids

Heat Exhaustion

1. Move to shade or air conditioning

2. Remove excess clothing

3. Apply cool wet cloths to neck, armpits, groin

4. Drink cool water slowly

5. Lie down with feet slightly elevated

6. Don't take cold showers (causes blood vessels to constrict)

Dealing with Travel Insurance

Most international travel insurance covers medical treatment in Bali, but the process varies:

Before treatment:

• Check if your policy requires pre-approval for non-emergency care

• Find out if the clinic accepts direct billing (BIMC and Siloam often do)

• Keep your policy number and emergency contact handy

During treatment:

• Request itemized receipts in English

• Get a medical report from the doctor

• Take photos of all documentation

After treatment:

• File claims within the timeframe specified (usually 30 days)

• Include all receipts, medical reports, and proof of payment

• Keep copies of everything

Some clinics require cash payment upfront, then you claim reimbursement from insurance later. Bring emergency cash or credit card with high limit.

Preventing Illness in the First Place

Food and water safety:

• Only drink bottled water (check seal is intact)

• Avoid ice in drinks at small warungs

• Eat at busy restaurants (high turnover = fresh food)

• Peel your own fruit

• Skip street food if you have a sensitive stomach

• Wash hands before eating

Mosquito protection:

• Use DEET-based repellent (at least 20%)

• Wear light-colored long sleeves at dawn and dusk

• Sleep under mosquito nets or in air-conditioned rooms

• Use mosquito coils outdoors

Heat and sun protection:

• Drink 3-4 liters of water daily

• Wear sunscreen and reapply every 2 hours

• Take breaks in shade during midday heat

• Limit alcohol during peak sun hours

General health:

• Get travel vaccinations before arriving (Hepatitis A recommended)

• Bring basic medical kit (pain relievers, anti-diarrhea, bandages)

• Pack any prescription medications in original containers

• Consider travel insurance with medical coverage

What to Pack in Your Medical Kit

Smart travelers bring these basics:

• Imodium (diarrhea)

• Paracetamol and Ibuprofen (pain, fever)

• Antihistamines (allergic reactions)

• Electrolyte powder sachets

• Antibiotic ointment

• Bandages and gauze

• Hand sanitizer

• Thermometer

• Motion sickness tablets

• Any personal prescriptions (2x what you need)

You can buy most of this in Bali, but having it immediately when symptoms start makes a difference.

Final Thoughts

Getting sick in Bali doesn't have to ruin your trip. Most tourist illnesses are minor and treatable with rest, hydration, and basic medication. The key is recognizing when you need professional help and knowing where to find it.

For rapid recovery when you can't afford downtime, IV therapy offers the fastest route back to enjoying your vacation. Many tourists are surprised how quickly they bounce back after a 45-minute treatment.

Feeling unwell right now? Don't wait until it gets worse. Reset Room Bali offers same-day IV therapy treatments designed specifically for tourists. Skip the hospital queue and get back to your vacation fast.