How to protect yourself from gastroenteritis this monsoon

Gastroenteritis is most commonly transmitted through contaminated food or water.

Caused due to a viral, bacterial or parasitic infection, gastroenteritis is most commonly transmitted through contaminated food or water. During the monsoons, an overflow of sewage lines leads to puddles of sewer water on the roads, causing further spread of the bacterium. Another common reason is open defecation. Runoff from various sources, carry the bacterium from feces into puddles and water stagnating on the road. Flies and other pests also contribute to the spread of the condition.

Gastroenteritis, as the name suggests, is a condition that is a result of irritation and inflammation of the inner lining of the stomach, due to an infection. Once infected, the lining swells up leading to severe vomiting and diarrhoea.

Once infected the condition can manifest in about 24 to 48 hours. Some of the most common symptoms include severe diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain,cramps and dehydration.

Although the condition gets resolved with time, it is best to visit a doctor to get the right diagnosis and medication. In order to diagnose the condition, most doctors will rely on the patient's symptoms alone, but in some cases he/she may order a stool test. This test will check for the presence of the organism causing the condition.

In most cases the treatment will depend on the type of organism causing the condition, but other medication will is prescribed for symptomatic relief. The patient will be advised to have rehydrating liquids like electoral, antipyretics (medication that controls fever) and painkillers. Adequate rest and staying away from foods that are difficult to digest, are the best methods to recover quickly.

One of the most common complications of gastroenteritis is severe dehydration, which can be life threatening in the elderly, young children and people with suppressed immune systems. Dehydration can lead to organ failure and death.

Here are some things you can do to keep gastroenteritis at bay:

1. Keep your surroundings clean. Disinfect common surfaces (like, table tops, door handles etc.) with a chlorine based, or bleach based cleaner.
2. Make sure you wash your hands well after using the bathroom. This is very important if you use a common bathroom, either at work or any other place.
3. Wash your hands well and regularly especially before eating or cooking any food.
4. Avoid eating food prepared at roadside stalls or places where there is an unknown water source.
5. Make sure that drinking water is properly boiled, and treated with chlorine.
6. Avoid eating undercooked or raw fish.
7. Do not eat pre-cut fruits, available on the streets. Make sure you cut and peel the fruits yourself, and store them in well washed vessels.
8. If you get wet in the rain and walk in puddles of water, wash your hands and feet well as soon as you get the chance, without touching anything else. This will minimize the transmission of the organism through fomites (inanimate objects).
9. Remove your shoes outside your house, if you have walked in puddles. This is a good way to avoid carrying bacteria from puddles into your home. Another option is to remove your shoes and carry them to the place of storage.
10. If you work on a computer or laptop, make sure you clean your keyboard and mouse well before use, as they are common agents that can spread the bacterium.
11. Try to lower your stress levels. Excessive stress has been known to lower one's immunity, making you more susceptible to contracting diseases.