British Volunteer Isabelle Lythgow Hospitalised After Catching Parasite from Fijian Waterfall

A British woman’s dream trip to Fiji turned into a nightmare when she was hospitalised with a severe parasitic infection—but she insists she would do it all over again.

Isabelle Lythgow, 23, from Bury, Greater Manchester, travelled to the remote village of Nairukuruku in Fiji in August 2023 as part of a six-week volunteer placement. But shortly after swimming in a picturesque local waterfall, she fell violently ill and was later diagnosed with a waterborne parasite.

From Adventure to Emergency

The Salford University graduate, now a mental health nurse, had joined locals for a swim before attending a village bonfire. Hours later, she began experiencing dizziness, lower back pain, and tingling limbs. Then came her worst fear: she started vomiting every 30 minutes for more than 12 hours.

“I’m absolutely terrified of being sick. I have emetophobia,” Isabelle explained. “It was my biggest fear before going. That night I woke up in the middle of the night feeling really sick—and then it just kept going.”

Remote Location Complicated Rescue

In the isolated village, accessing medical care wasn’t easy. Isabelle struggled to keep water down and was too weak to travel. Eventually, she managed to get a taxi to the hospital, vomiting twice during the ride. Doctors immediately placed her on an IV drip and said she should have come sooner.

She was told her condition was common among tourists and was likely caused by a parasite in the water.

A Painful Recovery, But No Regrets

Isabelle spent four hours on an IV before being discharged. She said the illness caused her to lose significant weight and shrink her stomach, taking months to regain strength. Still, she remained positive.

“You genuinely can’t put a price on life experiences and travel,” she said. “Life is too short to worry about getting sick. I would do it over again a million times.”

Despite the trauma and severe anxiety she felt in the days that followed, Isabelle said her love for waterfalls remains untouched. She urges others not to let fear stop them from experiencing the world.