SEASONAL CHALLENGES: HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM INTESTINAL INFECTIONS

Each season we are faced with new challenges, and enteric infections are one of them. In hot summer weather, acute intestinal infections, including food poisoning, can become a serious problem for your health.

Risk factors contributing to the development of intestinal infections:

• Poor hygiene level.
• Poor quality food.
• Contact with people suffering from intestinal infections if precautions are not followed.
• Polluted water and drinking supplies.
• Traveling to countries with low standards of sanitation and hygiene.
• Low immune protection (children, the elderly, or those with chronic illnesses may be more vulnerable to developing intestinal infections).
• Unhealthy lifestyle (smoking, drinking alcohol, unhealthy diet).

Effective prevention measures:

• Cleanliness is next to godliness.

The first and most important step in preventing intestinal infections is good hygiene. It is necessary to regularly wash your hands with soap after returning from the street, before preparing food, before eating, after visiting the toilet, after contact with animals and other contaminated objects.

• Food Safety

The choice of foods and their correct processing is another key point in preventing intestinal infections:

• buy fresh products from reliable suppliers.
• wash vegetables and fruits thoroughly before eating,
• properly cook meat, fish, eggs and other animal products, subjecting them to sufficient heat treatment to kill all microbes.
• use separate cutting boards and knives for meat and vegetables/fruits, bread and other prepared foods to prevent cross-contamination.
• store food properly (perishable foods should be stored in the refrigerator at temperatures below 5°C).

• Water schedule

Drink only clean water from trusted sources. If the quality of the water is in doubt, it is best to drink bottled, filtered or boiled water. And don't forget that even ice in drinks can be a source of infection.

• Travel caution

If you are traveling, especially to countries with poor hygiene standards, be especially careful about where you eat and the quality of food and water.

• Pay attention to symptoms

Be attentive to your body. If you notice symptoms of an intestinal infection (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever), such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or fever, contact your doctor immediately.

Attention! Following these simple recommendations will help protect you and your family from intestinal infections in any season.

Remember! Health is our most valuable resource that is worth taking care of.