Gastroenteritis, commonly known to cause vomiting and cramps, seems to have taken a virulent turn with more and more patients suffering renal complications.

Virulent gastro strain causing renal failure

Gastroenteritis, commonly known to cause vomiting and cramps, seems to have taken a virulent turn with more and more patients suffering renal complications.
    Since the onset of monsoon, more than 2,000 people in the city have been hospitalized with gastro, while an average of over 500 people contract the disease every week.
    Two patients from Byculla (in their 40s) suffered acute renal failure after being admitted to Saifee Hospital with gastroenteritis. Their doctor, Mayur Patel, said they required three dialysis sessions as their creatinine levels had shot up. “Two others needed ICU care,” he said. He has treated at least four such cases in other hospitals.
    “Renal failure is characterized by sudden decline in the volume of fluid filtered from kidneys. A gastro patient is severely dehydrated and there is nothing left in the blood for the kidney to filter,” he said.
    Physician Dr Alan Soares, who consults at Holy Spirit Hospital in Andheri (E), said he had treated three gastro patients who suffered kidney failure. “But we treated them with medicines. Dialysis was not needed,” he said.
    Gastroenteritis leads to renal failure in only 5-7% cases. “The trick is to hydrate the patient and bring the levels of urea and creatinine under control,” said Dr V K Joglekar, head of medicine at JJ Hospital. While normal gastro may take two-three days to cure, kidney failure could increase hospital stay, morbidity and mortality.
    Water contamination could be a reason, feel experts. 

 
DOS AND DON’TS
• Do not drink water from unhygienic places

• Boil drinking water for 20 mins to kill all germs

• Wash hands thoroughly before every meal

• Avoid raw, uncovered and cold food stored in inappropriate conditions

• Check seal before buying bottled water

• Pregnant women need to be cautious about eating out