Rise in mercury levels, ups microbial diseases in Ggn

The rise in mercury levels in Gurugram is resulting in large number of residents frequenting city hospitals for treatment of microbial diseases.

Doctors in the city hospitals says that there has been an increase of patients suffering from diahorrea, typhoid and viral gastroenteritis. Experts say that microbial diseases show an upward trend during summer due to contaminated food and water as there is large amount of consumption of roadside water, juices and sliced fruit chaat.

Consumption of contaminated water from unclean tankers and bore wells is also resulting in the increase of patients suffering from microbial diseases. Medical experts advise that besides ensuring hygienic conditions, proper safety measures must also be adopted by the residents to protect themselves from the scorching heat. "Over 30 percent patients today visiting the OPD are suffering from microbial diseases caused mainly due to consumption of contaminated food and water. Besides this, there have also been large numbers of cases of dehydration and incidents of sun stroke. There are chances that if a patient shows symptoms of vomiting, mild fever, body pain and blood in stools, he may be affected from microbial infections. In severe cases a patient can also die due to dehydration and low blood pressure," said Kanta Goyal Principal Medical officer, Civil Hospital Gurugram.

"Basically we advise most of the patients in these months to remain hydrated. Besides clean drinking water other alternatives for remaining hydrates is consumption of lime juice, coconut water and dairy products," she said.

"In various cases, patients do not take cases of microbial diseases seriously. Symptoms of gastroenteritis begin 3 days after

contracting the infectious bacteria and often patients consider it as food poisoning. Besides proper treatment, due diligence must be paid on clean air, food and water," said Dr Sarath Gopalan, a gastroenterologist.