The digestive canal is vulnerable to infection and disease caused by microorganisms like bacteria and others. This creates a wide range of conditions, collectively called Gastroenteritis, with severe complications if left untreated. While effective cure is available most of the time, it’s also good to take steps to prevent an infection in the first place.
Gastroenteritis or ‘stomach flu’ is fairly common in India and several nations of the developing world. Environmental factors coupled with poor personal hygiene are the most common causes. These become sources of infection. Further bacterial infections can be easily spread from person to person. So in all, risk factors include:
The last three are not bacteria.
Certain viruses can also call intestinal infections, especially in children
Gastroenteritis is the umbrella term with a wide range of symptoms but each type of bacteria causes its own unique symptoms. A person suffering from bacterial infection of the stomach could experience one or more of these:
Acute gastroenteritis can cause severe dehydration which can cause a number of complications including kidney failure and death
If gastroenteritis is left untreated for days, it can cause complications such as:
The Gastroenterology division of your local hospital may conduct several tests to identify the organism or other common or unusual causes or its complications.
The best part about Gastroenteritis is that it’s completely curable when diagnosed and treated in time. Treatment includes oral medication and electrolytes to restore the salt and fluid balance. Only in severe cases of infection, antibiotics and IV fluids may be advised.
The doctor will recommend a diet which is slightly salty, such as Idly, dosa without oil and Pongal. Fruit juices, soups and tender coconut water will be advised in order to restore the fluid balance. You will be asked to restrict fried, oily foods, packaged snacks, chocolates, sweets, coffee and tea, as well as alcoholic drinks. Meat and poultry will also be restricted from your diet till you have recovered fully, to prevent new infections.
Do not share your clothes or utensils with friends and family and wash them frequently.
As some of the best gastroenterologists will tell you, preventing an outbreak of stomach infection is quite easy and must be followed as a matter of routine.
Kauvery Hospital is globally known for its multidisciplinary services at all its Centers of Excellence, and for its comprehensive, Avant-Grade technology, especially in diagnostics and remedial care in heart diseases, transplantation, vascular and neurosciences medicine. Located in the heart of Trichy (Tennur, Royal Road and Alexandria Road (Cantonment), Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli and Bengaluru, the hospital also renders adult and pediatric trauma care.
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