Tips and Advice on How to Avoid Getting Idi Amin’s Revenge – Travelers Diarrhea
Do not let Idi Amin’s Revenge – Travelers Diarrhea ruin your Safari in Uganda.
How to Avoid getting Idi Amin’s Revenge, also known by the more clinical term “Traveler Diarrhea.” Most likely, you have 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, there’s plenty you can do 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 are most likely to 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) to local microbial communities.
To minimize your chances of a bout of Idi Amin’s Revenge, experts recommend eating only cooked food served hot. Do not eat raw fruits or vegetables unless they’ve been washed in uncontaminated water or peeled. Only drink commercially bottled water such as Rwenzori. Do not drink tap water, and avoid ice cubes if you don’t know their source.
Remember to wash your hands thoroughly and frequently!
Traveler’s Diarrhea is an intestinal infection that occurs 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 considered an increased risk for Westerners. The most common culprit is a bacteria called E. coli.
What Are the Symptoms of Traveler’s Diarrhea?
The typical symptoms of traveler’s Diarrhea include:
- Abrupt onset of Diarrhea
- Fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Bloating
- Urgent need to have a bowel movement
- Malaise (weakness or discomfort)
- Explosive and painful gas
- Stomach cramps
- Loss of appetite
Traveler’s Diarrhea usually lasts from 3 to 7 days and is rarely life-threatening, but it will spoil your Safari.
How Do I Treat Traveler’s Diarrhea?
As with all diseases, it is best to consult a doctor rather than self-medicate for 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 by 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 is something we never had to do in the past.
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 a 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 do get ill prior to Gorilla Trekking, you will be forced to cancel your gorilla trek.
