Gastroenteritis is a disease in which it occurs inflammation of the lining of the digestive system. They are generally foodborne diseases (also known as "food poisoning") and are caused by eating contaminated food with any bacteria, virus, parasite or any of the toxins that they produce.
Summer is a time when apparition shoots up of these diseases, on the one hand by the higher temperatures that favor the development of microorganisms and on the other hand because the meals away from home.
Symptom
The symptoms of gastroenteritis they are similar whatever the germ that produces it:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Headache
- Abdominal pain
What can we do to avoid gastroenteritis
The precautions that we are going to tell you are basic rules in the food handling during all year, but you have to be even more careful in summer.
Keep kitchen utensils very clean and all surfaces that come in contact with food. You have to be very careful with tables to split food or knives, For example, it is not useful to just wipe them, it is better to wash them with soap and water.
Wash your hands always before handling food.
Keep food out of the reach of insects or other animals.
Wash very well the fruits, vegetables or vegetables that you are going to take raw.
It is not advisable to consume raw food outside the home.. In bars, cafes, restaurants, etc., all food must be protected by showcases, be refrigerated whenever necessary and in good sanitary conditions. These measures are very important, if they are not met, never eat those foods.
The egg is a food very dangerous if not handled or cook properly. In bars or restaurants it is mandatory to use egg products (products derived from the egg after subjecting it to certain processes that give it longer life and greater resistance to be infected by microorganisms) such as lyophilized egg or pasteurized egg.
If you cook or prepare egg foods at home, such as mayonnaise, sauces or batters, the most appropriate is consume them immediately, do not take advantage of the leftovers and keep the cold conservation.
It is very important not keeping cooked food at room temperature. We have two possibilities: either consume them immediately or cool them quickly and keep them in the fridge until the moment of consuming them.
To quickly cool food, it is better to divide it into small portions before putting it in the refrigerator, so it is easier for the temperature to drop quickly.
Keep the fridge at a temperature below 5 ºC. It is important do not fill it too much and if it is essential to make sure that the temperature does not rise. There is what is called "danger zone" between 5 and 65 ºC, between these two figures the temperature favors the proliferation of microorganisms, so better avoid it ...
Should be cook food sufficiently, it is important that the food reaches at least 70 ºC in the center of the food, temperature from which most of the microorganisms that cause gastroenteritis are destroyed.
Keep food warm above 65 ºC, for the same reason.
Do not gather in the fridge cold foods with other warmer.
Avoid contact between raw foods with others already cooked.
If you are going to go on a picnic or take food to the beach, for example, transport the food always cold, take one isothermal bag with a cold accumulator or a bottle of frozen water to maintain the temperature.
Si vas a heat some food cooked you always have to do it at the maximum temperature, never less than 70 ºC in the center of the piece. And never reheat that food, if once heated it is not consumed, it must be discarded.
What to do if I have any symptoms
They usually only need diet and hydration, in two or three days it is solved without the need for treatment. The biggest problem is the risk of dehydration vomiting and diarrhea and both children and pregnant women are two of the risk groups and therefore it is very important to consult with the doctor if we notice severe diarrhea, vomiting that does not go away, or high fever.
Treatment is based on letting the digestive system “rest”, So diet is the most important thing, until vomiting or diarrhea does not subside, the usual thing is that the doctor recommends us to take some pharmacy preparation based on water and electrolytes.
It may be necessary to take some antipyretic.
Antibiotics are seldom necessary and always under medical prescription.
Resting Time, it is very important to let our body rest as well.
In severe cases, it may be necessary to provide IV serums.
So don't let your guard down in the summer ...