Diarrhoea is a common condition characterised by loose, watery stools and frequent bowel movements. It can be caused by various factors, including infections, food poisoning, medications, food intolerances, chronic conditions, and even stress as well as anxiety.
Symptoms associated with diarrhoea can include abdominal cramps, bloating, nausea, and an urgent need to have a bowel movement.
Adapting to the Indonesian Environment
In Indonesia, gastrointestinal infections, including diarrhoea, are prevalent health issues. The primary causes are poor or absent sanitation infrastructure, with much of the population lacking access to proper sewage systems. This results in many toilets draining into ponds and rivers, contaminating the environment, water, and food. While this is particularly problematic in rural areas, it impacts the entire population, leading to a high incidence of diarrhoea and related illnesses.
Causes of Infective Diarrhoea
Infective diarrhoea is most commonly caused by bacteria, viruses, and parasites. These microorganisms are typically transmitted from person to person via the faecal-oral route. This means an infected person who does not practise proper hand or body hygiene can pass the infection to another person when handling food and water.
Safeguard Your Tummy: Know It, Avoid It
The following are several activities and factors that could lead to diarrhoea:
- Eating raw or improperly handled food: Consuming raw, undercooked, unwashed, or improperly handled meat, poultry, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, shellfish, and seafood;
- Drinking contaminated water: Drinking water or beverages that are contaminated;
- Poor hand hygiene: Inadvertently ingesting faecal matter, protozoa eggs, or viruses by touching the mouth with dirty or improperly washed hands;
- Eating out: Eating in restaurants, including buffets and street vendors, where food handling and hygienic practices are not followed properly;
- Travelling: Travelling to areas with poor sanitation or different food and water safety standards can expose individuals to new pathogens;
- Vulnerable populations: Young children and the elderly are more susceptible due to weaker immune systems. Individuals with certain chronic medical conditions may also have weakened immune systems and are at higher risk;
- Close contact: Close contact with someone who has infective diarrhoea can spread the infection;
- Recent antibiotic use: Antibiotics can disrupt the normal gut flora, making it easier for harmful bacteria to cause infection.
Essential Tips to Protect Your Digestion
The golden rule to prevent food-borne illnesses is: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or Forget it!
However, it is not just about what you eat; it is also important to consider where you eat. Here are some tips:
- Choose clean places: Avoid restaurants and food vendors that appear unclean. Be cautious of food that has been stored uncovered, improperly refrigerated, or left out for a long time, such as buffets;
- Be wary of street food: Be very cautious with food from street vendors, particularly in areas with poor sanitation;
- Drink safe water: Tap water is universally unsafe to drink in Indonesia due to possible microbial contamination and the presence of varying levels of minerals not suitable for human consumption. Consume bottled or purified water instead.
Simple Things That Boost Your Hygiene
- Handwashing: Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with warm water and soap, especially before preparing or eating food and after using the bathroom. If water and soap are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser instead;
- Disinfect surfaces: Regularly clean and disinfect surfaces that may be contaminated, especially in shared spaces.
Stomach in Trouble. What Should I Do?
- Oral rehydration: At the first sign of diarrhoea, drink an oral rehydration solution (ORS) which is a mixture of salt and sugar designed to replenish electrolytes and treat dehydration. Local products like Pocari Sweat® and Powerade® are available at almost all convenience stores;
- Medications: Over-the-counter medications such as Activated charcoal (Norit®) and Attapulgite (New Diatab®) can improve the condition;
- Seek medical attention: Diarrhoea is usually a self-limiting infection (it resolves itself), but if symptoms are severe and there is associated vomiting, there is a real risk of dehydration. Seek consultation with a doctor as you may require treatment for vomiting, intravenous fluid replacement, and stool testing to identify the underlying cause. Bacterial and protozoan/parasitic infections require prompt antibiotic treatment to reduce the risk of potential complications. Viral gastroenteritis is self-limiting and requires supportive treatment only. The very young, the elderly, or those with underlying medical conditions are at particular risk and may require a period of hospitalisation.
Small Shot, Big Impact: Why Vaccinations Matter
Vaccinations can help prevent certain types of infective diarrhoea, particularly those caused by viruses. Here are some key vaccines:
- Rotavirus vaccine: This vaccine is specifically designed to protect against rotavirus which is a common cause of severe diarrhoea among infants and young children. These are usually given as part of the children’s vaccination program;
- Typhoid vaccine: Typhoid fever, caused by Salmonella typhi, can lead to severe diarrhoea. Vaccination is recommended for travellers to regions where typhoid is prevalent. The typhoid vaccine is available in Indonesia;
- Hepatitis A vaccine: Hepatitis A can cause diarrhoea and is spread through contaminated food and water. Vaccination is recommended for travellers entering Indonesia;
- Cholera vaccine: For travellers to areas where cholera is common or where there is an outbreak, an oral cholera vaccine can help prevent this bacterial infection, which causes severe diarrhoea. These are usually only distributed during periods of outbreaks and are not readily available in Indonesia.
These vaccines are particularly important for young children, travellers, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Always consult with a healthcare provider to determine which vaccines are appropriate for you or your family.
However, finding the right healthcare can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to language barriers. SOS Medika Clinic has provided a world-class healthcare facility for almost 40 years in Indonesia with multilingual teams proficient in languages including Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia), Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, English, German, French, Spanish, Dutch, and Afrikaans.
SOS Medika Clinic provides round-the-clock services of family physicians, specialists, and emergency support, as well as in-house pharmacy, imaging, and laboratory. We place a strong focus on building relationships with patients to provide holistic care and disease prevention, which include a wide range of vaccinations such as Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Influenza, Yellow Fever, and more.
Visit our website (QR) or contact us for more info DL.JKT.SM.Marcomm@internationalsos.com.
