Beach holidays Watch out for summer diarrhea in the Var! Between heat, sun and dubious catering, the risk of gastroenteritis increases sharply in summer. Here’s how to protect yourself.
Beach, sun and idleness: everything seems to be together for perfect holidays. However, each year, the cases of Acute diarrhea explode in summerspoil the stay of many vacationers. Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever … are all signs of a gastroenteritisoften caused by poorly preserved viruses or foods.
Beach holidays Watch out for summer diarrhea in the Var!
Bacteria that love heat
According to and Dr hosele sionNeurologist at Belo Horizonte (Brazil) and consultant for you to talk about it, the high temperatures weaken food conservation, especially on the beaches. You have to pay attention to the cold chain. Between insufficiently refrigerated coolers, foods cooked in advance or exposed in the open air, bacteria proliferate.
And it is not because a dish seems good that it is safe: “a contaminated food can have a completely normal taste and appearance”, alerts the doctor. Salmonelle, E. Coli, Shigella or Campylobacter are bacteria frequently found in water or food in summer.
Children and elderly: increased prudence
THE young children, the elderly and immunocompromised people are the most at risk of complications. Diarrhea poorly managed can cause a severe dehydration. If vomiting is intense, preventing oral hydration, Urgent medical management is necessary.
The norovirushighly contagious, is responsible for the majority of cases of viral gastroenteritis, especially in tourist areas or on cruising boats.
Good gestures to avoid gastro
- Wash one’s hands Frequently, especially before eating or after having gone to the toilet.
- Prepare your own meals For the beach with packaged, heat resistant products.
- Use a well -refrigerated cooler And throwing the food if the cold chain is broken.
- Avoid raw foods (seafood, homemade sauces, manipulated salads).
- Observe if beach sellers respect hygiene rules (clean hands, clean tools).
- Favor mineral water in closed bottle. Beware of ice cubes and granites of dubious origin.
Seawater: False friend?
Swimming can also be a source of infection if the water is polluted. “The very busy beaches in summer often undergo an overload of their sanitation network. This can lead to the presence of fecal coliforms in the sea”, as an article by El Pais explains to us on a problem in Spain.
In case of symptoms, what to do?
It does not exist No specific treatment against viral gastroenteritis. The priority is to drinking thoroughlyconsume light foods and Avoid self -medicationin particular antidiarrheics without medical advice. If in doubt, consult a professional.
“The most important thing remains hydration. If it becomes impossible, the transition to emergencies is essential,” concludes Dr. Gisele. Because dehydration is a vital emergency especially in summer.
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