Cryptosporidium in swimming pools can cause of diarrhea

Cryptosporidium in swimming pools can cause of diarrhea Maintaining pool hygiene and self management are key to warding off this dangerous parasite New Delhi, 19 May 2017: In what can be called as avoiding another risk factor in the summer months, experts have advised against consumption of swimming pool water. Any inadvertent ingestion of even chlorinated pool water can produce cryptosporidium which results in stomach upset. Statistics indicate that the prevalence of this disease in diarrhoea patients in India is 1.3% from Northern India, 4.5% from the eastern part of the country (West Bengal), 5.5% from South to West (Mumbai), and 13.1% from South India.
"Cryptosporidium" or "Crypto", the microscopic parasite can make otherwise healthy adults and children feel incredibly sick with stomach cramps, nausea, and bouts of diarrhea lasting up to three weeks. Once a pool or water playground is infected with crypto, it is easy to spread, but not easy to get rid of. The parasite can survive up to 10 days in properly chlorinated water, and it takes just a swig to get sick.
Speaking about this, , Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal, National President Indian Medical Association (IMA) and President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Dr R N Tandon – Honorary Secretary General IMA in a joint statement, said, "The infection begins when a person ingests the one-celled cryptosporidium parasite. There are some strains of cryptosporidium which can cause more serious issues. This parasite can travel to the intestinal tract and settle into the walls of the intestines. Once this happens, more cells are produced and shed in massive quantities into the feces becoming highly contagious with time. It is difficult to eradicate this parasite because of its resistance to many chlorine-based disinfectants and filters." The only way to ensure the health of the water once it has been infected is to close the pool and treat it with extremely high levels of chlorine. At an individual level, it is important to take precautions when swimming in pools. Adding further, Dr Aggarwal, said, "Avoid swallowing any water and rinse it off in the shower once you get out of the pool. It is also better to avoid the pool while you are sick and wait for two weeks after symptoms subside from a suspected case of crypto before going swimming." Additionally, the following steps can be taken as part of self-management against contracting this disease. • Use the toilet before entering the pool • Shower and wash thoroughly all over with soap before entering the pool • Take kids on bathroom breaks. Check diapers, and change them in a bathroom or diaper-changing area–not poolside–to keep germs away from the pool.

People who fast during Navratri are at an increased risk of food poisoning and diarrhea

People who fast during Navratri are at an increased risk of food poisoning and diarrhea Eating leftover and oily food can make you sick...Keep a check on your liquid intake to celebrate the festival of Navratri with all the enthusiasm Starving and not eating for too long can make you feel weak. It is advised that you consume mini meals after an interval of every 2-3 hours New Delhi, 29th March 2017: Have you ever wondered what is the reason behind the 9-day fast during Navratri? In addition to the religious reasons, fasts also help in the purification of the body by relaxing its metabolism. The consumption of low calorie and less spicy food items helps relieve the body of the extra work it has to do on a regular basis. However, this purpose gets defeated when people indulge in starchy and oily foods like potatoes and kuttu pakoras. Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal, National President Indian Medical Association (IMA) and President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Dr RN Tandon – Honorary Secretary General IMA in a joint statement said, “During Navratris, people have fewer food options, which are mostly restricted to kuttu and singhara flours. We advise that the people who are on a fast consume ample amounts of liquids to maintain energy levels and prevent dehydration. It is also strongly recommended that the kuttu or singhara flour left over from the previous year should not be used as they may be contaminated and result in diarrhea. Eat lot of fruits. Eating too much of very oily and high sugar food items like burfi, ladoo and potato fries may also cause diarrhea.” Keep the following in mind in order to avoid the chances of food poisoning and diarrhea and help in maintaining a healthy fasting routine: • Use singhara flour, it is not a cereal but a fruit as it is made from dried ground water chestnuts and hence a good substitute for a Navratri fast, where cereals cannot be consumed. It is an excellent source of energy and provides 115 kcal per 100g. • Singhara plants bear ornately shaped fruits containing a single very large starchy seed. These seeds or nuts are boiled and eaten as a snack and can be eaten raw as well • The Singhara is made from dried ground water chestnuts. These nuts are boiled peeled and dried before grinding. In such a case, there are no chances of impurities. • Chestnuts are relatively low in net carbs (total carbohydrate minus dietary fiber). It is included in many low carb diets. They do not contain the fat that regular nuts have. They also contain less carbohydrate than white flour. • Avoid eating deep fried chestnut flour pooris or parathas. • Buy only branded best quality flour as leftover flour from last year can lead to food poisoning. • One should not use high trans fat vegetable oils to cook chestnut flour bread. • You should consume as many fruits as you can, fruits are the best alternatives for the individuals who are on a fast. • To keep your body hydrated, you should drink as much liquid as you can like in the form of water and juices.

Monsoon season is the time to give our child a de–worming tablet

Monsoon season is the time to give our child a de–worming tablet New Delhi, July 30, 2016: During the monsoons, most of the worms in the soil come up to the surface and infect the vegetables. The associated humidity also leads to more breeding of house flies and mosquitoes.
It is thus important to ensure that all fruits and vegetables, are washed thoroughly with clean water and if needed Potassium Permanganate is added to them during the monsoon season to prevent illnesses, said Padma Shri Awardee Dr KK Aggarwal – President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Honorary Secretary General IMA.
Round worms are normally present in the soil and good sanitation is required to prevent their fecal contamination, which is often impossible in the monsoon season. Washing hands before meals and drinking boiled water can reduce the risk of round worm infection; but, in the India scenario, the same may not be possible.
The easiest way is to give your child a de–worming tablet 3–4 times in a year.
Treatment of school-going children with single dose of de–worming tablet every 3–4 months has been advocated in many countries. In a study conducted in Zanzibar, a single dose of mebandazole tablet given three times a year reduced round worm infection by 97%.