Health stories from BIMC.
Guidance on staying well in Bali, travel-health advice and updates from across the BIMC network — written by our medical teams.
115 articles
closeClear filtersKeep Kids Free of Ringworm
Bali schools can often be prime locations to come in contact with ringworm, which is not at all a worm but referred to as “tinea corporis” and easy to treat. Tinea infections are caused by several types of mold-like fungi that thrive on the dead tissue of the skin. In addition to the skin, ringworm
End Malaria for Good
April 25th is World Malaria Day with the fight against the disease still requiring a steadfast approach in most tropical countries, including Indonesia with five provinces showing to still have numerous cases of the parasitic infection. As part of the National Malaria Eradication Program, the Indonesian Ministry of Health is widely distributing mosquito nets and
March 24 is Tuberculosis Awareness Day
BIMC is dedicated to informing Bali residents of just how prevalent TB is and educating them so that they are able to identify the disease early and seek proper treatment. TB kills an estimated 4,400 people a day, a number that is “unacceptably high,” said a World Health Organization alongside HIV as a leading cause
Health Officials: Zika Not New to Indonesia
Erring on the side of caution, Indonesia has taken a number of preventive measures against the Zika virus after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the spread of the disease a global emergency. The country has had a limited history of Zika infections that date back to 1978 and 1981 with some new apparent
Talking Dengue at the Bali Island School
On December 16 BIMC General Manager, Cathy Bolwell, gave a talk for parents and teachers at the Bali Island School in Sanur on the topic of dengue fever. Ms Bolwell explained that dengue fever is quite common in Bali. Dengue used to be prevalent during the rainy season that runs from October to April but
Ladies: it’s Cervical Cancer Month
January does not just mark the start of a new year, it’s also Cervical Cancer Awareness Month and here’s what you need to know. Cervical Health Awareness Month hopes to raise awareness of this cancer and the diseases that can cause it and start conversations between women and their physicians that could help stop the
AIDS ‘cure’ coming—true or false?
Google the words “AIDS” and “breakthrough” and you get so many promising reports, you can’t be blamed for thinking the end of the pandemic is coming soon.So as World AIDS Day is marked once again on Dec. 1—the first was in 1988—it may be time to take stock. What the media say An estimated 34
Easiest way to avoid illness
To some, the idea of having an annual Global Handwashing Day (October 15) may cause a smile, but in terms of what it means, it never is something to laugh about. Simply put, hand hygiene is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of infections, including the common cold and influenza.
Flu season’s coming — Are you ready for it?
The statistics vary from year to year, but influenza along with other respiratory disease is always on Indonesia’s top 10 killer lists, as well as a pandemic that sweeps much of the world. A “seasonal” affliction, the risks usually intensify in late autumn or early winter, so now is the time to get
“Rabies : Asia’s Invisible Killer”
Bali may be regarded as paradise on earth, but it also offers serious health risks that are almost invisible. One of these is rabies, a disease now unknown in Australia, Japan, much of Europe and elsewhere in the West. However, residents and medical workers in Bali cannot forget the epidemic of the bite-transmitted infection that
What you need to know about Immunizations and Vaccines
Immunization is the process whereby a person is made immune or resistant to an infectious disease, typically by the administration of a vaccine. Vaccines stimulate the body’s own immune system to protect the person against subsequent infection or disease. Immunization is a proven tool for controlling and eliminating life-threatening infectious diseases and is estimated to
The Facts on Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Without surprise many people who learn they have a sexually transmitted disease (STD) are devastated. Remember, STDs can be very common and getting one does not mean you are horrible. The first important step is to get help by talking with your health care provider. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections you can get by
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Surfaces in Asia
The South Korean Health Ministry reported four new cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) June 25 and said the outbreak was at a crossroads, backing off from its earlier view that the spread of the often-deadly virus had leveled off. The more guarded assessment came as the government extended the partial shutdown of Samsung
Uncommon Yet You Need to be Aware of Japanese Encephalitis
Dengue fever remains the most common mosquito borne disease in Bali. However Japanese Encephalitis is much more severe with more reported cases year after year. The disease is essentially a brain infection and can be potentially lethal and those who survive often recover with neurological complications. The disease is most often contracted in rural parts of S.E
The Truth About Bali Belly
Bali has many experiences to offer such as the artwork, surfing, cultural attractions. However one other encounter you won’t forget is gastroenteritis or, as it is commonly referred to, ”Bali Belly.” Another term used to describe Bali Belly is traveller’s diarrhoea which many are familiar with because it happens to as many as 50% of
Elevated Dengue Numbers in Bali
The year’s rainy season has witnessed a spike in dengue fever with BIMC Hospitals Bali receiving more cases than previous years. Know the facts and keep safe. Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne tropical disease caused by the dengue virus, transmitted through the Aedes Aegypti mosquito characterized by white dots on its abdomen and legs. It
Could it be dengue?
Most people traveling to the tropics will be advised to avoid mosquito bites, not just because mosquito bites are aggravating; but also because some mosquitoes are capable of carrying and spreading certain infections. One among those would be Dengue virus (DENV), which can infect humans and cause Dengue fever and its more severe form, Dengue
Bali Travel Tips: Staying Healthy
Traveling exposes your health to a number of threats, some minor others potentially dangerous. A lot of travel destinations, especially a tropical destination such as Bali, have germs and bacteria that do not exist in many travelers’ home countries. Travel itself can cause a host of health problems, too. Flying, for example, increases the chance
Things to Know About Rabies
By: dr. Maria Dewi Rabies is a zoonotic disease, a disease of animals that can infect humans. It is a serious and fatal disease. Until recently, there is no proven effective treatment, despite the medical advances. However, there are proven effective preventions. Rabid Animals Almost any wild or domestic animal can potentially get rabies. The
Get to know Legionnaire’s Disease
Legionnaire’s Disease (LD) is an infectious respiratory and/or lung disease caused by a group of bacteria called Legionella sp., and among all of its “family members”, Legionella pneumophila is the most common species found. This bacteria was first identified in 1976 in America, during the 58th annual convention of the American Legion. And this is
Typhoid Fever: Stay Vigilant
Typhoid fever or Enteric fever is a systemic acute illness associated with fever and digestive problems that is most often caused by the Salmonella typhi bacteria. Typhoid fever is contracted by the ingestion of the bacteria in contaminated food or water. The bacterium multiplies in the gallbladder, bile ducts, or liver and passes into the
Stay away from Malaria
About 50 per cent of Indonesia’s population is at risk of malaria, with the most affected area in the eastern parts of Indonesia, from East Nusa Tenggara to Maluku and Papua. The areas covering Sumatera, Kalimantan and Sulawesi are considered to have medium levels of malarial transmission whereas Bali and Jakarta have zero to low
Facts On Travel and Health
You might want to know the health facts for travelers. Here are the facts, including estimation of the risk of getting sick from traveling. The basic facts 8 million travelers travel to a developing country. 1 in 10 seek medical care after travel 64% report 1 or more illnesses during travel 26% are ill upon
Chicken Pox
Chickenpox, also known as varicella, is a highly contagious and self-limited infection that most commonly affects children between 5-10 years of age. The disease has a worldwide distribution and is reported throughout the year in regions of temperate climate. Lifelong immunity for chickenpox generally follows the disease. If the patient’s immune system does not totally