Tips and Advice on How to Avoid Getting Idi Amin’s Revenge – Traveler’s Diarrhea
Do not let Idi Amin’s Revenge – Travelers Diarrhea ruin your Safari in Uganda.
How to Avoid Getting Idi Amin’s Revenge, Idi Amin’s Revenge is a colloquial term that Kabiza Wilderness Safaris coined for travelers’ diarrhea. This common illness affects travelers to developing countries. The disease is caused by various bacteria and parasites in these countries’ water and food.
You have probably never heard of “Idi Amin’s Revenge.” That is because it is something we came up with; Mexico has Montezuma’s Revenge, and Uganda has Idi Amin’s Revenge.
The effect on you is the same, and you have a case of Travelers Diarrhea. Travelers’ Diarrhea can quickly sabotage your Safari with its unpleasant gastrointestinal upheaval, and it’s not exactly a laughing matter.
Fortunately, you can do plenty to reduce your chances of being sidelined by the “bug.” The only bug we want to bite you is the Safari Bug.
What is Idi Amin’s Revenge – aka Traveler’s Diarrhea?
Traveler’s Diarrhea can affect anybody about anywhere, but it most commonly afflicts people from industrialized nations visiting developing countries.
Travelers will most likely contract it in the tropics and semi-tropics of Latin America, Southeast Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa. The actual cause of the condition can vary. Still, in most cases, the culprit is bacteria of one kind. You can contract Traveler’s Diarrhea by drinking contaminated water (including that melted from ice cubes) or eating certain undercooked or raw foods.
Tips and Advice on How to Avoid Idi Amin’s Revenge, Aka Traveler’s Diarrhea
While infection may come from environments with poor sanitation, it’s important to remember that Traveler’s Diarrhea is often partly due to your gut’s lack of familiarity (and immunity) with local microbial communities.
Experts recommend eating only hot cooked food to minimize your chances of a bout of Idi Amin’s Revenge. Do not eat raw fruits or vegetables unless washed in uncontaminated water or peeled. Only drink commercially bottled water such as Rwenzori. Do not drink tap water; avoid ice cubes if you don’t know their source.
RTraveler’s Diarrhea is an intestinal infection due to eating or drinking contaminated food or water. Food handlers who do not wash their hands after using the bathroom can transmit the disease to people who consume the contaminated food.
The risk of infection varies depending on the type of exposure. It ranges from a reasonably low risk from eating hot, cooked foods and drinking factory-sealed beverages to a higher risk from eating raw vegetables and fruits and drinking tap water. Additionally, street food is not prepared under hygienic conditions and is an increased risk for Westerners. The most common culprit is a bacteria called E. coli.
How to Avoid Getting Idi Amin’s Revenge – Traveler’s Diarrhea
There are several things you can do to avoid getting Idi Amin’s Revenge:
- Drink only bottled water. Tap water in developing countries is often contaminated with bacteria and parasites. Even if the water looks clean, drinking may not be safe.
- Avoid ice cubes. Ice cubes are often made from tap water and can also be contaminated.
- Eat only cooked food that has been steaming hot. Raw food, especially fruits, and vegetables, can be contaminated with bacteria and parasites.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before eating and using the bathroom. This will help to remove any bacteria or parasites that may be on your hands.
- Take a probiotic supplement. Probiotics are live bacteria that are similar to the good bacteria that live in your gut. Taking a probiotic supplement can help to keep your heart healthy and may help to prevent travelers’ diarrhea.
If you do get traveler’s Diarrhea, there are a few things you can do to relieve the symptoms:
- Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
- Eat bland foods, such as toast, rice, and bananas.
- Take over-the-counter medications, such as Imodium or Pepto-Bismol, to help with Diarrhea and cramps.
- See a doctor if your symptoms are severe or do not improve after a few days.
By following these tips, you can help to avoid getting Idi Amin’s Revenge and enjoy your travels.
As with all diseases, it is best to consult a doctor rather than self-medicate for a traveler’s Diarrhea. This is especially relevant for pregnant women and children.
The Web MD recommends Pepto-Bismol (2 ounces four times daily or two tablets four times daily) to decrease Diarrhea and shorten the illness duration. Pepto-Bismol also appears to be effective in preventing traveler’s Diarrhea. Still, it should not be taken for more than three weeks at a time.
Pepto Bismol is available in Uganda at a higher price than in the US or Canada.
The essential treatment requires the replacement of fluids and salts lost from Diarrhea. This is best achieved using an oral rehydration solution such as the World Health Organization oral rehydration salts (ORS) solution. ORS packets are available at stores or pharmacies in Uganda.
If you are on Safari with us, you come down with Idi Amin’s Revenge. We will take you to a proper medical facility to ensure a quick recovery, which we never had to do before.
Staying at suitable Hotels and Lodges
Luxury Hotels and Lodges and Midrange ones usually are your safest choices when it comes to eating. They follow better hygienic standards in food preparation. They will also use treated water for ice cubes and beverages.
Fruit platters and Salads will be prepared according to higher standards with their guests in mind. In our years as Tour Operator, we had one instance of a couple coming down with Idi Amin’s revenge-Travelers Diarrheas. They canceled their Gorilla Trek.
Practice Common Sense to Avoid Idi Amin’s Revenge – Travelers Diarrhea. Please take a look at our Staying Well on Safari Page. If you get ill before Gorilla Trekking, you will be forced to cancel your gorilla trek.
