Mumbai reports 340 gastroenteritis cases within two weeks

Mumbai has recorded around 340 cases of gastroenteritis in the first two weeks of July month According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC epidemiology cell data they have been reporting rising cases of gastroenteritis followed by malaria 243 casesGastroenteritis or stomach flu can be termed as an inflammation irritation of the intestines It spreads by contact with an infected person or through contaminated food or water Common symptoms include diarrhoea vomiting and fever In June the city reported 543 gastroenteritis casesExplaining the signs and symptoms of gastroenteritis Dr Tushar Rane Internal Medicine Expert Apollo Spectra said ldquoIt is a common occurrence during monsoon The signs and symptoms of it are diarrhoea loss of appetite bloating nausea vomiting abdominal cramps tiredness headache incontinence loss of control over bowel motions and abdominal painrdquoAlso Read Explained Mumbai doctors on why gastroenteritis peaks during monsoonFurther speaking about the preventive measures Dr Rane added ldquoOne should avoid sharing kitchen utensils plates or towels with someone who is sick Wash fruits and vegetables properly before eating Eat probiotics to keep the gut healthy Say No to raw and undercooked foods as they can cause improper digestion Citizens should avoid eating roadside food to stay healthyrdquoAs the monsoon is peaking up in the city the cases related to waterborne diseases such as acute gastroenteritis hepatitis A hepatitis E cholera are expected to riseSpeaking about the spread of the waterborne disease Dr Harish Chafle senior consultant in Pulmonology and Critical Care at Global Hospital said ldquoWaterborne illness is predominantly caused by swallowing contaminated recreational or drinking water without taking proper precautions or from contaminated sources Many waterborne pathogens can also be acquired by consuming contaminated food or beverages kept in open spaces where flies sit and carry diseasespreading organisms on them This can happen due to contact with animals or their environment through persontoperson spread or breathing in contaminated water dropletsrdquoBesides this in July month 11 cases of swine flu were reported in the city according to BMC data Out of the 11 swine flu H1N1 cases reported 8 cases were recorded last week compared to three cases reported in the first week of JulySpeaking about the increase in H1N1 cases Dr Behram Pardiwala Director of Internal Medicines Wockhardt Hospitals said ldquoDuring this time of Covid19 infection we have been missing investigating a lot of H1N1 and H5N1 infection cases The patients usually present with a bad upper respiratory infection with running nose sore throat and mucoid expectorationrdquo