A British tourist has shared his experience of falling seriously ill while holidaying in Bali, after swimming in the pool of a five-star resort. Joshua Chimupeni, 23, from London, said he became unwell shortly after swimming at his hotel.
During the swim, he put his head underwater and unintentionally swallowed small amounts of pool water.
Sixteen hours later, he was diagnosed with gastroenteritis.
“I had no idea it could have been the pool,” Josh said, as quoted from Yahoo News. “It was a gorgeous place. I was confused as I didn’t eat anything there that day. I had only had a drink, with no ice.”
Josh said the symptoms developed quickly and were severe. He experienced diarrhoea, vomiting, heavy sweating, and significant fluid loss. A doctor later visited his hotel room and administered an intravenous drip and medication.
Only after receiving treatment did he begin to feel relief.
TikTok Video Sparks Widespread Reaction
Josh later uploaded a video recounting his experience to TikTok. The post quickly went viral, attracting millions of views and thousands of comments from users around the world.
@joshchimm Worried about ice an the wrong things all this time nobody said don’t dunk ur head😂😂😂 #fyi #bali #balibelly #indonesia #potatoheadbeachclub ♬ headlock x jinx from arcane – ZOMBIE
Some viewers questioned how the illness may have occurred.
“Why u drinking the water pool 😂,” one user commented.
Josh replied directly, saying: “I never ‘drank’ the water. Bits managed to go down my throat from diving up and down drunk 😂.”
Other users shared their own concerns or similar experiences.
“Wait what happened?? I’m in Bali rn,” another user wrote.
Josh responded simply: “Bali belly.”
Some commenters said they had not experienced similar issues and suggested private pools might reduce risk.
“I guess I just got lucky 🤷🏾♂️ Was it bc my pool was private?? (Not rich. This 4BR villa was $200/night.),” one user commented.
Others said the video appeared at an unfortunate time.
“Not this coming up on my feed right after getting Bali belly yesterday from a waterslide in a beach club,” another wrote.
The video has since become part of a broader online conversation about travel health and swimming safety while abroad.
Possible Health Risks From Swimming Pools
While Josh’s experience does not confirm the source of his illness, health experts note that swimming pools can carry risks if water quality is not properly managed.
Public or shared swimming pools may contain bacteria or viruses if sanitation levels are inadequate. These microorganisms can cause digestive problems or infections of the eyes, ears, or skin.
Pool chemicals can also affect swimmers. Improper chlorine levels or chemical imbalances may irritate the skin or respiratory system, particularly in sensitive individuals.
Personal health factors also play a role. Travellers with lower immunity may be more vulnerable to infection. Hygiene habits, such as showering before and after swimming, can help reduce exposure.
