It’s quite disappointing when the food you eat makes you sick, right?

The most common reason for this is stomach infections. Complications of these infections include high fevers, muscle pain & inability to control bowel movements. SMILES here covers the best ways to prevent stomach flu.

Stomach infection, also known as bacterial gastroenteritis. It happens when your gastrointestinal tract is affected by a bacterial infection. And the infection further leads to inflammation of the intestine and the stomach.

Some people often refer to bacterial gastroenteritis as food poisoning, an illness caused by eating contaminated food.

According to the experts of gastroenterology, stomach infections or bacterial gastroenteritis can be caused by food or water that is contaminated with bacteria and its toxins. However, bacterial gastroenteritis is common among children, infants, and adults that results in the symptoms including diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, and severe abdominal cramps.

People with a weakened immune system are at greater risk of developing stomach flu and its complications – says Dr Parameshwara C M, the best gastroenterologist in Bangalore.

The best way to prevent the symptoms of stomach infections is to maintain a good and hygienic lifestyle.

Here are 7 ways that help you keep the bacterial gastroenteritis at bay.

Washing hands before eating a meal is an effective method of preventing infections. When you eat without washing your hands the bacteria and germs left on the hands can be transferred to the inside of your mouth. This can undoubtedly cause illness and gastrointestinal infections.

As already mentioned, most of the stomach infections are due to drinking contaminated water. But, it is important to keep yourself stay hydrated to prevent various ailments.

Therefore, make sure that the water you drink is boiled before drinking. Boiling water helps kills bacteria and germs, preventing any infections.

Eating food that is unhygienic can cause numerous diseases or simply can cause an upset stomach. Unhygienic conditions can include harmful bacteria and viruses that enter food and contaminate it. So, avoid eating foods such as fast foods, uncooked meat or raw fish to prevent bacterial gastroenteritis.

Since Apple cider vinegar is a natural antibiotic; it acts as an effective agent against bacterial infections that cause stomach flu. It may also bulk up stool and reduce intestinal inflammation.

If you notice any symptoms of stomach infections, add one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to a glass of warm water and drink it before meals.

When you have bacterial gastroenteritis, it is essential to get plenty of rest in order to fight off infection. Reduce the amount of activity you normally do as the illness can make you weak and feel tired.

The BRAT diet is a diet that has been recommended for people with upset stomachs, vomiting, and diarrhoea. BRAT diet which includes Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast contains carbohydrates that give you energy and replenish nutrients.

Adding ginger to water could help to ease the symptoms of stomach flu. Ginger is a natural antibiotic that helps reduce inflammation and promote digestion by relieving nausea and vomiting. It can also give some relief from stomach cramps and bloating.

Though stomach infection is an alarming situation, with proper rest and medications, your infection will likely go away in a few days. But, if you notice that your symptoms of stomach infection are persistent then consult SMILES for better diagnosis and recovery from stomach infections.