It’s more than just a “stomach flu going around!” The Ministry of Health reports that there is an outbreak of the highly contagious form of gastroenteritis. A release issued today from the Ministry of Health says there has been a “significant increase” in the cases of gastroenteritis reported within the past few weeks. It is highly contagious and symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea. For more on the signs, symptoms, and information on how to prevent it – we turned to Gastroenterologist Dr. Ervin Gabourel.
Dr. Ervin Gabourel, Gastroenterologist
“It is explosive vomiting along with frequent bouts of diarrhea. Mostly you see kids having vomiting and adults will show more diarrhea than vomiting but is a combination of both.
The treatment is very simple. All you have to do is re-hydrate your patient. Re-hydrate means that whenever you vomit or whenever you have loose stool in the form of diarrhea you will lose certain electrolytes, certain important components of your body like salt, so all you have to do is replace these salts and fluids.”
Keith Swift,
How can it be prevented?
Dr. Ervin Gabourel,
“Washing of your hands, making sure that the water that you drink is either boiled or purified, make sure that your utensils are clean, make sure that you go into reputable places or make sure that wherever food is prepared, it is clean.”
Keith Swift,
What is the worst case scenario for someone with gastroenteritis?
Dr. Ervin Gabourel,
“Death. They will die if they are not re-hydrated. So although it is very easy to treat, some people neglect to treat themselves. So if you have a kid that is vomiting and not keeping down anything, you need to take them to the hospital.”
Keith Swift,
Is it contagious?
Dr. Ervin Gabourel,
“Yes it is and the way it is contagious is that the person using the bathroom does not wash his hands and touches some food or something that the other person will then take into their mouth, it is definitely contagious.
They also could suffer other symptoms; for example, low grade fever. They could also suffer headaches; they could also suffer painful muscles. So this is just a very common manifestation of having an infection from a virus.”
Dr. Gabourel noted that for the most part – gastroenteritis is seasonal and there are usually increased cases in March because of high winds. The Ministry of Health has also issued an advisory on an increase incidence of scabies. The increase is reported to be significant in the Stann Creek, Toledo, and Corozal Districts. Scabies is transmitted by mites and the symptoms are intense itching around the fingers, wrists, elbows, thighs, abdomen, and buttocks in adults. For children the symptoms are itching in the head, neck, the palm of their hands, and the soles of their feet.
