Hospitals across the city have started seeing a spurt in the number of gastroenteritis cases. It is mostly from the pockets where the urban poor reside, explain doctors.
On average, hospitals are seeing 15-20 cases in their out-patient departments. City doctors warn that hygiene be given prime importance while consuming food this season as the risk of gastroenteritis (stomach flu) is high.
Soaring temperatures have led to an increase in the number of cases. While the soaring temperatures push people to drink a good amount of water, consumption of pure water is important, says doctors. Dr Ansar Ahmed, medical superintendent, Epidemic Diseases Hospital (Isolation Hospital), said that the hospital has seen 160 cases of acute gastroenteritis in April alone.
“While there is no big epidemic, cases are being reported in small numbers. There are about seven to 10 cases in a given area,” said Dr Ahmed, adding that gastroenteritis peaks during the summer.
Most patients who are being attended to in the hospital are senior citizens or those from slums. Dr Ahmed said that lack of access to potable water could be one of the primary reasons.
Gastroenteritis could be caused by food poisoning as well, he said. “It is important to cook food well. Also, it should be stored at a temperature of less than three degrees Celsius,” he said.
He warned that one maintain good hand hygiene before consuming food, ensure scientific storage of food and handle food with hygienic hands. “Even biting nails and eating from the food left over by others could lead to gastroenteritis,” he said.
In KR Puram General Hospital, 27 cases of acute gastroenteritis were seen this month.
Dr Asha Benakappa, director, Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health, said that gastroenteritis is caused by a viral infection. “During the summer, food is usually unsafe beyond two hours even if it is refrigerated. In summer, consumption of fluids increases. If there is insufficient intake of clean water, it leads to infections,”
Dr Asha added.
DH News Service
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