Gastroenteritis cases on the increase

Dr Rakesh Arora, of the PGI Gastroentrology Department, says: quot;May, June and July are peak months for gastro cases since bacteria already present in food multiplies very fast in hot weather; also people carelessly consume cut-fruits and water without questioning whether the stuff is clean or contaminated.quot;

Vomiting, diarrhoea, fever and cramps are typical symptoms of gastroenteritis. If untreated, the water-borne disease may result in a life-threatening condition. While toxin-induced food poisoning normally settles down within 48 hours, victims of salmonella and shigella take seven to 10 days to recover and may report of blood in stools, says Dr Arora.

Meanwhile, district health authorities met to chalk out steps to check major outbreak of water-borne diseases. Dr M.P. Manocha has been made nodal officer for water-borne diseases and all doctors have been instructed to submit their weekly reports on diarrhoea cases.