Gastroenteritis Prevention

Gastroenteritis can give you sleepless nights especially during the summer and monsoon months. Viral and bacterial infections are the major reasons for gastroenteritis and we have only ourselves to be blamed for catching the disease. Our unhygienic practices are the core causes for the disease. The disease is characterized by irritation and inflammation of the stomach and intestines, diarrhea, stomach ache, nausea, and vomiting. Prevention is the best strategy to tackle the disease. To guard against gastroenteritis we must pay attention to cleanliness. Washing hands with a soap before cooking and handling edible items is important. We must wash fruits and vegetables and peel away the outer layers before using them. Eating the food as soon as it is cooked is a good habit. Keeping the food for long will make a good breeding place for microorganisms. Exposed outside food must be avoided. Non-vegetarians should watch out for animal food and eggs with cracked outer shell. Not opting to cook when you are infected is a good habit to protect the well-being of your family. Travelers need to abstain from unhygienic dhabas and eateries. Choosing to eat bread, biscuits and snacks during travel is a wise decision. Consult a doctor right away if symptoms persist or worsen.