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The cool showers of the first rain, pleasant weather and hot pakodas, chaat or spicy dishes available on the roadside – this joy of rainy days attracts everyone. But, do you know that this pleasant season is also the favorite time for serious stomach infection i.e. Gastroenteritis? Every year during the rainy season, there is a sudden surge in the number of patients suffering from vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain in the OPD of hospitals. The biggest causes of this disease are contaminated water, infected food and lack of hand hygiene. Often people think that only eating outside street food causes stomach upset, whereas the truth is that during monsoon, due to excessive humidity in the air and hot environment, even the food kept at home gets infected with bacteria very quickly. Therefore, vigilance is the biggest protection in this season. Major symptoms of gastroenteritis and risk of dehydration Gastroenteritis is an infection mainly in the stomach and intestines. Its main symptoms are as follows: Frequent diarrhea and vomiting. Severe cramps and pain in the stomach. Nausea and constant feeling of weakness. In some cases mild or high fever. The biggest danger (Dehydration): In this disease, the most dangerous situation than infection is the extreme deficiency of water and essential salts in the body. In small children, pregnant women and the elderly, this condition of dehydration can quickly become serious and fatal. Treatment and diet: what to eat and what misconceptions to avoid? The good thing is that if you get the right care at the right time, most patients make a full recovery within a few days without any major treatment. 1. ORS is the most effective medicine. The most important part of the treatment is to maintain the water level in the body. As soon as the initial symptoms of diarrhea or vomiting appear, ORS (Oral Rehydration Salts) solution should be started without any delay. Do not wait for the situation to worsen for this. 2. Do not stop eating during diarrhoea. Even today there is a misconception in the society that in case of diarrhoea, the patient should stop eating and drinking completely. This is almost certainly false. The body desperately needs nutrition to fight infection and recover. During this period, it is very beneficial to give very light and easily digestible food to the patient like thin khichdi made of coral rice, fresh curd, ripe banana and porridge. 3. Antibiotics are not necessary in every diarrhea. Another big misconception is that as soon as diarrhea starts, people buy antibiotics from medical stores and start taking them. In fact, most of the stomach infections that occur during monsoon are caused by viruses, on which antibiotics have no effect. Taking medicines arbitrarily without doctor’s advice kills the good bacteria in the intestines, which can cause harm to the body and in future the medicines may become ineffective (Antibiotic Resistance). 4 easiest and surefire rules of prevention: When should it be considered a medical emergency? Go to the doctor immediately. If the patient shows the following symptoms, instead of trying treatment at home, one should immediately contact the nearest doctor or hospital without wasting a minute: If the patient is vomiting repeatedly and is not able to digest even water. There is continuous diarrhea and there is blood or pus in the stool. The patient has high fever and the body is completely broken. The amount of urine has reduced or stopped due to dehydration. The patient appears very lethargic, unconscious or the eyes appear sunken. Especially in case of diabetes, kidney patients, elderly and small children, do not take any risk and immediately consult a qualified doctor.