Quenching thirst on the street could prove costly suggest doctors treating large number of gastric illness cases well into summer.
Doctors say consuming contaminated water and other liquids or eatables served with ice frozen from contaminated water is leading to gastrointestinal problems. Fever Hospital, which sees around 400 patients for various conditions, has continued to receive a large of number of patients with suspected gastric infections.
“Ingesting contaminated water in ice or through other ways mainly causes gastric illness. We are also seeing cases of typhoid,” said hospital superintendent K. Shankar. Other doctors too say cases of gastric illness mainly with diarrhoea and stomach cramping as symptoms, are being seen. “People tend to consume water and ice-laced drinks outside which increases risk of infection. Food tends to quickly spoil in summer. So care should be taken to ensure spoilt food is not consumed,” said Srirang Abkari, Internal Medicine specialist.
Diarrhoea and vomiting tend to lead to rapid dehydration during summer, particularly in the elderly and children, leaving them more vulnerable to serious problems like renal failure Dr. Abkari warned, indicating the need for seeking medical attention if symptoms persist.
The National Institute of Nutrition has shown through several studies that the presence of coliform bacteria like E.coli in the city’s food vendors who do not practise hand hygiene. Besides contaminated food, serving with contaminated hands is a risk factor for gastrointestinal illnesses.
