Summer Fun Without the Tummy Bug

08/01/2010 | Tummy Bug - Gastro Warning

Tummy bugs or “gastro” (gastroenteritis) can happen any time of the year but getting sick during the warm summer months is not a pleasant holiday activity.

Just when you want to be out and about, having fun at the beach or pool, you are stuck with stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhoea. Looking after other family members with these symptoms can also make for a less than memorable holiday.

MidCentral Health Medical Officer of Health Jill McKenzie says: “Fortunately there are a number of things that we can all do to avoid tummy bugs. Understanding how we catch tummy bugs, and could spread them to others is important.

“Harmful bacteria can be present in many of the foods we eat. We need to wash any foods that are eaten fresh, ensure meats are properly cooked, and store food correctly to avoid tummy upsets from bugs that might be on our food. Remember to follow the “Four Cs” of food safety – Clean, Cook, Cover and Chill:

Clean benches and chopping boards, and always wash your hands before and after preparing food.
Cook food properly – follow the recipe, or for pre-packaged food, follow the instructions on the pack. When cooking chicken, always ensure that the juices run clear.
Cover food both before and after cooking to prevent contact with flies and other insects.
Keep leftover cooked food in the fridge (around 40C). When storing raw meat and chicken in the fridge, ensure that it is below any cooked food, or food that is to be eaten fresh (eg salads).”

Dr McKenzie said: “Some bugs can be spread from person to person. This can be through close contact with someone: “carrying” the bugs (e.g. on hands that are not washed properly), or through contamination of objects (e.g. door handles, cutlery or drink bottles).

“To prevent this type of spread, it is essential that we all wash and dry our hands after going to the toilet, changing nappies, or handling animals, including our pets. Faeces (poos) can contain lots of harmful bugs. Forgetting to wash our hands may mean that they find their way to our mouths and into our tummies, and causing those unpleasant gastro symptoms. Remember to wash your hands with warm water and soap for 20 seconds, and to dry them for 20 seconds. If soap and clean water is not available, hand sanitizers (available from supermarkets or pharmacies) may be used instead.

“If you do pick up a tummy bug, you may need to stay away from work, particularly if your work involves preparing or serving food or caring for the young or elderly. It is recommended that you do not return to work until 24-48 hours after the symptoms have gone. Children should be kept home from school or child care if they are unwell. Often people are still infectious even after they feel better so remember to be very careful with hand hygiene after being sick.

“It is important to stay out of swimming pools if you have gastro symptoms, as the bugs can easily spread to other pool users.

“While for most people tummy bugs are unpleasant, they usually get better in a few days with rest. For others, particularly the young and the elderly, they can be more severe. Gastroenteritis can lead to dehydration – always make sure that those with vomiting and diarrhoea are receiving plenty of fluids (e.g. water or rehydration drinks the simplest example being ‘flat’ lemonade).”