Heat hard to stomach infections on the rise

Heat hard to stomach infections on the rise

The rising mercury and scorching heat are making Mumbaikars susceptible to an array of summer ailments. According to city doctors, two of 10 patients suffer from laryngitis and one in 10 patients complains of stomach infection. "Many people feel under the weather when the season changes. We are treating diarrhoea and pneumonia cases. Consuming unhygenic roadside food can lead to diarrhoea, vomiting, gastroenteritis and jaundice. I am also seeing a rise in jaundice and Hepatitis A and E cases," said Dr Pratit Samdhani, general physician at Jaslok Hospital. Doctors are treating two to three patients with gastric problems a day. Most of the diseases in summer are caused due to dehydration. Hence, doctors advise to drink plenty of water, but not chilled aerated drinks as it could lead to throat infection. "The high temperature coupled with low water consumption results in dehydration. This has been found as the common complication with people suffering from diarrhoea vomiting and abdominal cramps. Since March, we have also observed a steep rise in gastroenteritis cases. But, except the H1N1 virus, there are no other scares," said Dr Pradip Shah, general physician associated with Fortis Hospital Mulund.