Gastroenteritis is a condition caused by bacteria that can be transmitted in many ways. One of these is through contaminated food. Learn more about this common disease today.
Many people go through the first day of gastroenteritis without paying attention to the symptoms and, in addition, without consulting the doctor. Vomiting, possibly diarrhea, a pain in the abdomen that comes and goes, leads them to think that something they ate hurt them.
They come to think that the malaise is temporary, that it will soon pass. But when they realize that these symptoms remain for the next few days until they become worse, that is when they react and decide to treat it. This is the beginning of the disease.
The length of time between the time you are infected and the first day of declared gastroenteritis (incubation period) depends on the type of infection. It can occur in an hour or several weeks, but usually lasts between two and three days.
What is gastroenteritis?
This disease is increasingly common in the world and can be transmitted in different ways :
- Ingestion of contaminated food.
- From person to person. This occurs if an infected person goes to the bathroom and then does not wash their hands properly before handling food or touching another person.
- When an infected person coughs or sneezes, the discharge spreads the virus into the air and someone can breathe it in.
- Drinking contaminated water, especially in places where water for human consumption is of poor quality.
Prevention of gastroenteritis
Hygiene is a fundamental factor when it comes to prevention. If there is a person with gastroenteritis in the house, hygienic measures are the main way to prevent its spread. Some prevention tips are as follows:
- Clean the toilet frequently with disinfectant.
- Avoid sharing towels and utensils with people who have any symptoms of gastroenteritis.
- Insist on frequent hand washing of family members.
- Avoid eating foods that do not offer sanitary guarantees such as those sold on the street, for example.
- Always drink boiled or bottled water.
- Wash and sanitize vegetables and fruits before eating them.
- Refrigerate foods, such as cheeses, milk, butter, cream, meats.
It is essential to take care of this condition in its first days and to strictly follow the treatment indicated by the doctor; otherwise, it can develop into acute gastroenteritis.
