Sick and tired of stomach bugs?
Health experts reveal the measures we can take to help reduce the risk of catching gastrointestinal infections. By KATIE WRIGHT
A NEW study has revealed that stomach bugs – such as norovirus - decreased by more than half during the first six months of the pandemic, which the authors say is due to changes in behaviour brought about by Covid-19.
The BMJ Open paper found that outbreaks of gastrointestinal infections reported to health agencies fell by 52% compared with the average for the same period, and concluded that if people continued these hygiene practices – such as hand washing and social distancing – we could potentially see “sustained reductions in the burden of gastrointestinal illness”.
So, how can you reduce your risk of a tummy bug?
Don’t forget to wash your hands
“The viruses, bacteria and other bugs that cause gastrointestinal infections are spread by contaminated food, water, or hands,” says Dr Richard Dawood, GP and medical director of The Fleet Street Clinic (fleetstreetclinic.com). He says greater ‘hand awareness’ is key: “Knowing what you have handled, and being sure to wash your hands or use sanitiser immediately before handling food.”
Dr Deborah Lee from Dr Fox Online Pharmacy (doctorfox.co.uk) says that while any soap will do, you must wash your hands thoroughly: “Bacteria and viruses have a fat and protein coat. Soap molecules attach to the fatty coating and pull it apart, destroying the organism. But it does take 20 seconds for this to happen.”
Don’t rely on hand sanitiser
“Alcohol-based hand sanitisers are ineffective against norovirus – a very common cause of sickness and diarrhoea in the summer months,” says Dr Lee.
“There are some reports of an increase in norovirus infections abroad, possibly due to the use of hand sanitisers. So, this summer, make sure you use soap instead of
hand gel, when possible.”
Wash your sheets
“Not washing your sheets can cause ‘sick bed syndrome’,” warns Dr Lee. “A warm bed containing dust mites, shed skin, other body debris, and faecal contamination, provide a welcome environment for bacteria and viruses to grow and reproduce.”
She recommends changing your sheets “once a week, or more often if you let pets sleep on your bed. If you have asthma or allergies you should wash your sheets once every three to four days.”
Be cautious with towels too, she adds: “Bath towels should be ideally changed every other day, as faecal matter grows on them.”
Don’t cut corners with food prep
Dr Sarah Brewer, GP and medical director at Healthspan (healthspan. co.uk) says to avoid: “Foods that have not been cooked or reheated
thoroughly, and foods that have been left out for flies to get at.”
Other risk factors include: “Not cleaning kitchen surfaces properly and not stopping pets from walking over kitchen surfaces.”
Don’t take risks with raw meat
“Barbecues and picnics in the summer are notorious for causing gastroenteritis, notably E.coli and campylobacter, which can arise from partially-cooked meat,” says Dr Lee.
It’s crucial you wash your hands after touching raw meat and keep meat away from other foods. Dr Lee continues: “A good option is to part cook the meat in the oven and finish it off on the barbecue.”