Stopping gastroenteritis in summer

A common picture of ICDDR,B during summer when huge number of patients are admitted due to gastroenteritis.

Hospitals in the country continue to receive high number of cases of gastroenteritis, a condition that causes irritation and inflammation of the stomach and intestines characterised by diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Experts identified scarcity of safe drinking water, accompanied by summer heat which makes a perfect environment for bacteria, viruses and other germs to flourish as the main causes. They advised to pay particular attention to personal hygiene and warned people not to take roadside drinks and food.
Unhygienic food and contaminated water is taking a toll on public health. Roadside drinks and cut fruits sold by roadside vendors pose serious health hazards for people. Sugarcane juices, lime water, sorbet, ice cream and kulfi, coloured drinks mix with a drop of essence such as strawberry, orange, mango, pineapple and sometimes grapes bring unbridled temptation to savour the roadside flavours.
But hold back, if you value your health. The ingredients are tap water, colouring agents, saccharine for all; milk for ice cream and kulfi. School children are the most prospective customers for these pushcart cool drink vendors. Children usually relish kulfis, flavoured drinks and ice creams.
The most crucial ingredient among all, the ice cubes, also does not pass through any quality norms or hygienic methods of manufacture. So, children should not be allowed to take this food. Along with these, we have to be more cautious while taking street food this summer. Because street foods are mostly uncovered and are not prepared hygienically and water added or used is not safe in maximum places.
Gastroenteritis caused by bacteria, virus or parasites are very contagious and can spread through contaminated food or water. Improper hand-washing following a bowel movement or handling dirty things can spread the disease from person to person.
Gastroenteritis caused by viruses may last 1-2 days. On the other hand, bacterial cases can last a week or more. Most people recover easily from a short bout with vomiting and diarrhoea by drinking fluids and easing back into a normal diet. But for others, such as babies and the elderly, loss of body fluid with gastroenteritis can cause dehydration, which is life-threatening illness unless the condition is treated and fluids restored.
For gastroenteritis and food poisoning, the most important thing is to complement water and electrolyte that you lose with watery stool and vomiting. If the symptom is not serious and you keep replacing water and electrolytes by ORS (Oral Rehydration Saline), you are likely to get better within a couple of days.
While fluid replacing, we have to keep in mind that tea, fruit juice and carbonated soft drinks will not correctly replace fluid or electrolytes lost by diarrhoea or vomiting. Nor will plain water, as plain water cannot replace electrolytes and may dilute electrolytes to the point of seizures.
So consider only ORS in this regard. Admission to a hospital for intravenous fluids may be necessary if dehydration occurs despite drinking the oral rehydration solution.
After each loose stool, children younger than 2 years should be given 1-3 ounces of any of the oral rehydration saline (ORS). Older children should be asked to drink 3-8 ounces. Zinc tablet should be given with ORS.
This guideline serves only to replace fluid loss due to diarrhoea. Drink additional fluid equal to the amount you normally drink.
The World Health Organisation has established a field recipe for fluid rehydration: Mix 2 tablespoons of sugar (or honey) with ¼ teaspoon of table salt and ¼ teaspoon of baking soda. (Baking soda may be substituted with ¼ teaspoon of table salt.) Mix in 1 liter (1 qt) of clean or previously boiled water.
You will need solid foods eventually to help end the diarrhoea. After 24 hours, begin to offer bland foods with bananas, rice, chira without sugar, toast, pasta, or potatoes.
In case of adult, they should eat ice chips and clear, non-caffeinated, non-dairy liquids such as gatorade, ginger ale, fruit and juices. After 24 hours of fluid diet without vomiting, begin a soft-bland solid diet.
Key things to remember:
* Avoid roadside cool drinks
* Drink boiled water after cooling
* Avoid consumption of food outside
* Always eat covered food
* Wash your hands before meals
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