Gastroenteritis is a common illness that causes inflammation of the stomach and intestines. It usually results from an infection or inflammation caused by a virus, bacteria, or parasite.

Gastroenteritis can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, stomach cramps, fever, and dehydration. In most cases, the illness is mild and goes away on its own within a few days. However, in severe cases, it can lead to dehydration and other complications. In this article, we’ll talk about the ABCs of avoiding gastroenteritis.

A: Always Wash Your Hands

One of the easiest ways to prevent the spread of gastroenteritis is to wash your hands regularly. Washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds can help remove germs that cause illness. Make sure to wash your hands:.

Before eating or preparing food
After using the bathroom
After changing diapers or cleaning up after someone who has used the bathroom
After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
After touching an animal or animal waste
After handling garbage or cleaning

B: Be Careful When Traveling

Gastroenteritis is common in areas of the world with poor sanitation and hygiene. If you’re traveling to a developing country, be careful about what you eat and drink. Avoid tap water, ice made from tap water, and raw or undercooked food.

Stick to bottled water and hot, cooked food. Also, make sure to wash your hands frequently.

C: Cook Food Thoroughly

Cooking food thoroughly can help kill harmful bacteria and viruses that cause gastroenteritis. Make sure to cook meat, poultry, and fish to the proper temperature. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the food:.

Beef, pork, lamb, and veal steaks, chops, and roasts should be cooked to 145°F (63°C)
Ground beef, pork, lamb, and veal should be cooked to 160°F (71°C)
All poultry should be cooked to 165°F (74°C)
Fish should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) or until it flakes easily with a fork

Gastroenteritis can also spread through the sharing of personal items such as cups, utensils, towels, or toothbrushes. Make sure to use your own personal items, especially if someone has gastroenteritis or is feeling ill.

E: Encourage Vaccination

Some types of gastroenteritis can be prevented through vaccination. For example, the rotavirus vaccine can prevent gastroenteritis caused by rotavirus, which is a common cause of the illness in young children.

Make sure to talk to your healthcare provider about the vaccines that are right for you and your family.

F: Follow Food Safety Guidelines

Food safety guidelines can help prevent the spread of gastroenteritis. Make sure to follow these guidelines:.

Wash your hands before and after handling food
Keep raw meat, poultry, and seafood separate from ready-to-eat foods
Cook food to the proper temperature
Refrigerate perishable foods promptly
Do not eat food that has been sitting out at room temperature for more than 2 hours

G: Get Plenty of Rest and Stay Hydrated

If you do get gastroenteritis, it’s important to get plenty of rest and stay hydrated. Rest can help your body fight off the infection, while fluids can help replace those lost through diarrhea and vomiting.

Make sure to drink plenty of water, clear broths, or oral rehydration solutions. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and carbonated drinks as they can make dehydration worse.

H: Handle Animals with Care

Gastroenteritis can also spread through contact with animals or their waste. If you have pets or work with animals, make sure to wash your hands frequently. Also, avoid contact with animal waste and dispose of it properly.

I: Identify the Symptoms

It’s important to be able to recognize the symptoms of gastroenteritis. Common symptoms include:.

Diarrhea
Vomiting
Nausea
Stomach cramps
Fever

If you or someone in your family has these symptoms, make sure to stay home from work or school until the symptoms have resolved. Also, make sure to drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.

J: Just Stay Home

If you have gastroenteritis, it’s important to stay home and avoid contact with other people. This can help prevent the spread of the illness to others. Avoid going to work or school until you have been symptom-free for at least 24-48 hours.

K: Keep Surfaces Clean

Gastroenteritis can also spread through contact with contaminated surfaces. Make sure to clean surfaces regularly with disinfectant cleaners.

Focus on surfaces that are frequently touched such as doorknobs, light switches, countertops, and bathroom fixtures.

L: Learn More About Gastroenteritis

Learning more about gastroenteritis can help you and your family stay healthy. Talk to your healthcare provider or visit reliable websites such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the World Health Organization (WHO).