For many travellers, the dream of exploring remote islands in Southeast Asia comes with sun, beaches, and adventure.
But for 27-year-old Alysha Pyrgotis from Bradford, West Yorkshire, her journey to Gili Trawangan, a small Indonesian party island, turned into a life-or-death struggle with typhoid fever.
What started as what she thought was a “bad hangover” quickly escalated into a terrifying ordeal that left her bedridden, vomiting, and unable to keep even water down.
Mistaken Hangover Turns Deadly
Alysha initially dismissed her symptoms—extreme diarrhoea, severe muscle and bone pain, and delirium—as the aftereffects of a heavy night out.
But it soon became clear something far more serious was happening.
“I couldn’t concentrate at all, and that’s when I started to panic,” she recalls.
“The guy I was travelling with realised I was really unwell.
I wasn’t hungover.”
With limited medical facilities on the island, Alysha faced an uphill battle to get help.
“There weren’t any hospitals nearby. I was in a very small place with virtually no healthcare. It was just my bad luck to be there at the time.”
The Fight for Survival
Her body rejected everything—she couldn’t eat, even sipped water came straight back up.
“It was very, very extreme sickness,” Alysha explained. “I genuinely thought I was going to die.”
Thankfully, a local doctor was able to diagnose her with typhoid fever in time, preventing her condition from reaching a fatal stage.
She spent her final days abroad in a cramped medical shack, hooked up to an IV drip, still feeling “very sick” but grateful to be alive.
Returning Home Amid Lingering Effects
Even after testing negative for typhoid, Alysha had to endure a “horrific” flight to Bangkok due to her visa expiry.
The illness took several weeks to fully leave her system, leaving her shaken but determined to warn other travellers about the risks.
Lessons Learned from the Journey
Reflecting on her experience, Alysha emphasises hygiene and caution while travelling.
“I wasn’t careful with handwashing or where I ordered food from,” she admits.
“Street food can be risky, especially in hot countries where it’s left out for hours. Washing hands afterwards is crucial.”
She adds, “I loved interacting with stray animals, but it’s important to wash hands afterwards.
Simple precautions could have prevented this.”
What is Typhoid Fever?
According to the NHS, typhoid fever is a bacterial infection spread through unclean food or water. Symptoms include:
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High fever
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Headaches and body aches
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Fatigue and loss of appetite
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Diarrhoea or constipation
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Chills and coughing
The NHS advises travellers to:
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Get vaccinated six to eight weeks before visiting high-risk areas
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Wash hands regularly with soap and warm water or use sanitiser
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Drink bottled or boiled water
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Eat thoroughly cooked foods
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Avoid raw or lightly cooked meat, seafood, or unwashed salads
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Be cautious with unpasteurised dairy and uncovered food
Vaccines, available as injections or tablets, last three years and are recommended for anyone over one year old travelling to areas with a high risk of infection, such as parts of Thailand and Indonesia.
A Cautionary Tale for Adventurers
Alysha’s harrowing experience serves as a stark reminder that even seemingly minor symptoms can signal a serious infection.
Travellers venturing off the beaten path are encouraged to prioritise hygiene, careful food choices, and vaccinations to ensure their adventures remain safe and enjoyable.
