New Delhi, July 5 The Monsoons have arrived and the season brings with it plethora of illnesses. From waterborne disease like Jaundice and Typhoid to vector borne diseases such as Dengue and Malaria, one ought to be prepared for these. Food-borne illnesses pose a grave danger as well! These are a result of consuming contaminated food or water that has high amounts of bacteria, viruses or other pathogens.
During the monsoon, the prevalence of food-borne illnesses increases tenfold, says Dr Upasana Sharma, Head of Emergency & Trauma, Fortis Hospital, Kalyan.
Generally mild in nature if treated in time, these food-borne illnesses predominantly last for two to three days. Depending on the prognosis, a person may require to be hospitalised. People who are the most susceptible to these diseases usually include elderly people, pregnant women or lactating mothers, children and those who are immunosuppressed with chronic illnesses like cancer, renal and liver diseases, she points out.
If you experience a food-borne illness, it usually does not go undetected; depending on the actual source of infection, symptoms may vary. The expert lists down some of the common symptoms associated with foodborne illnesses: Abdominal pain or cramps, Vomiting, Nausea, Diarrhoea, Weakness, Mild fever
Seek your physician's aid should you experience any of the above, it's best to not self-diagnose and treat. If you do have a bout of food poisoning, one of the essential factors is to stay well hydrated at all times. Dr Sharma suggests a few other home care tips:
Drink plenty of fluids - boiled water, Coconut or fresh fruit juice. ORS
( With inputs from IANS )