Download WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN STOMACH “FLU

 WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN STOMACH “FLU” & FOOD POISONING? Contagious Stomach Flu It has been announced in the news media that there is a distressing stomach "flu" (gastroenteritis) circulating in the UB community. This disease is usually caused by a particular kind of virus, bacteria or parasite that has been taken into the mouth during eating. Sometimes it is on the food; sometimes it is on the hands. One way or another the germ gets into your mouth, down your throat and into your gastro-­‐intestinal system. That's where it makes you feel sick -­‐ usually not earlier than 24 hours after eating. When you have the stomach "flu", you may experience abdominal cramps, vomiting and diarrhea. Usually these symptoms disappear within a few days. It is important however to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration which can lead to serious complications. Reducing food intake and restricting diet to mild foods such as bananas, rice, applesauce and toast may also help. It is also important to consult a doctor if the symptoms persist or one’s condition otherwise deteriorates. Regular Non-­‐contagious Food Poisoning: Most of the time when we hear about food poisoning, it means an illness that is not infectious – i.e. not spread directly from person to person. Non-­‐contagious food poisoning occurs when you eat some food that has sat out too long without being properly stored and bacteria have grown on it. The bacteria produce poisons (toxins) that, after you eat the food, make you feel sick with the same symptoms as stomach "flu". However, the distinguishing difference between this type of food poisoning and contagious stomach “flu”, is that with food poisoning you usually get sick within 2 to 8 hours after eating the food. The treatment is the same and the risks of dehydration and its consequences are the same. Food poisoning as described here is preventable by following proper sanitizing and food preparation and storage procedures. At ISU our cafeteria adheres to the international HACCP standards for food storage and handling. PROPER HANDWASHING IS IMPORTANT To slow down the spread of the contagious gastroenteritis germs in the community and lower your risk of getting stomach “flu”, it is important to wash your hands properly several times a day -­‐ especially after using the toilet, handling money and before eating. It is just as important to wash your hands if you are preparing food for others to eat so that you reduce the risk of you spreading germs you carry onto the food that they will eat. At ISU we have increased our vigilance regarding the children washing their hands before eating. We have sanitizing gel dispensers in the classrooms, toilets and elsewhere in public areas of the school. We ask you as parents to also remind your children to wash their hands – show them how to do so properly from the poster instructions linked below. Please click on the appropriate link below to download a copy of the SOS Medica poster show proper hand washing technique: SOS MEDICA HANDWASHING TECHNIQUES POSTER (ENGLISH) SOS MEDICA HANDWASHING TECHNIQUES POSTER (MONGOLIAN) Гар угаах Thank you for your cooperation. Robert Stearns