During the warm season, between May and October, intestinal infections increase. In this regard, Z. Bolormaa, head of the Department of Public Hygiene and Infectious Diseases of the Metropolitan Health Department, explained the conditions, symptoms, and prevention recommendations for intestinal infectious diseases.
– What is the level of intestinal infectious diseases compared to the same period last year?
– The NHS receives information from affiliated health institutions every week and studies cases of intestinal infectious diseases. In doing so, they compare by week, month, quarter and year. By doing research like this, which types of bacteria are more commonly found, recommendations and information on how to prevent the bacteria and pathogens found are delivered to health institutions. In the first six months of this year, compared to the same period last year, there was no increase in cases of intestinal infections.
– What is the cause of this type of disease?
– More than 90% of the cases of intestinal infectious diseases are dysentery, 4-5% are salmonellosis or gastrointestinal diseases caused by bacteria, and the remaining 2-3% are food poisoning.
Dysentery is not contagious, but it can be spread from person to person through dirty hands or food. Contaminated foods include fruits and vegetables that we consume directly, unprocessed milk and dairy products, and meat and meat products. The causative bacteria can live in soil for 2-4 months, in milk products for 2-60 days, and in water for 2 months.
– What are the symptoms of an intestinal infection?
– In general, there are signs of poisoning. In particular, symptoms such as fever, vomiting, headache, abdominal pain, diarrhea for many days, loss of appetite, and fatigue will appear. Intestinal infections are more likely to affect infants, the elderly over 65, people with chronic diseases, pregnant mothers and people with weakened immune systems.
Therefore, in case of symptoms of an infectious disease, it is necessary to go to the nearest health facility.
– How to prevent this type of infectious disease?
– You can prevent infectious diseases by maintaining good personal hygiene. In other words, if you come from outside, take off your outer clothes, wash and clean if necessary, wash your hands regularly with soap, wash fruits and vegetables with soda in hot and warm water, use carefully processed meat products, and do not reheat food that has been left overnight to avoid intestinal infections. can be prevented.
MEDIA AND PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT OF THE MUNICIPALITY