Health Ministry issues guidelines on preventing spread of gastroenteritis

GASTROENTERITIS, THE STOMACH FLU, IS AFFECTING CHILDREN AND ADULTS IN ST KITTS AND NEVIS prompting the government’s Health Ministry to issue guidelines to help arrest the spread of the bacterial or viral tummy bug causing diarrhoea and vomiting.

Gastroenteritis is a medical condition marked by irritation or inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, in particular the stomach and small intestines. This condition can affect anyone – children or adults. It is typically caused by a germ or pathogen, and the most common cause is a virus. However, bacteria can also cause it.

 Signs and Symptoms
Gastro, as it is commonly known, is a sudden onset of diarrhoea with three or more loose or watery stools in a day. These symptoms can occur with or without abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, and fever.
Victims can suffer from dehydration (loss of body fluids) if the condition persists through excess vomiting and diarrhoea. Dehydration is marked by increased thirst, dry mouth, weakness, sluggishness, dizziness, inability to sweat, fainting and infrequent urination.
Children by gastro can become dehydrated quickly.

Parents must monitor affected children very closely and seek medical care urgently, the health ministry advises:

• If your child is under the age of 2 years, regardless of the symptoms.
• If your child is older than 2 years and has one of the following symptoms:
  • persistent or worsening abdominal pain
  • fever lasting for more than 48 hours
  • rash
  • frequent vomiting for 4 to 6 hours despite administering small amounts of fluids.
  • frequent and abundant diarrhea lasting for more than 7 days
  • frequent diarrhea if the child is under 6 months
  • worsening of child’s general health

Parents are further advised to take their affected children directly to the emergency unit of the nearest hospital if they any of the following symptoms:

• has refused to drink for more than 4 to 6 hours
• moderate to severe signs of dehydration
• signs of mental confusion, dizziness, or headache
• blood in the vomit or stool
• black stools
• vomit is bright green
• your child has a chronic disease, a weakened immune system or an immunodeficiency disorder AND has a temperature higher than 38.5 °C (101.3 °F)

Adults are also cautioned to go directly to the emergency unit if they exhibit any of the following signs or symptoms:

• a lot of blood in your stool, or your stool is black
• diarrhea with intense abdominal pain
• diarrhea with extreme thirst and no urination in over 12 hours
• frequent vomiting which does not slow down after 4 to 6 hours
• stool or blood (red in colour or resembling coffee grounds) in vomit
• Deterioration of general health (weakness, drowsiness, irritability, confusion)

How is Gastroenteritis Spread?

An infected person can transmit the illness as long they have symptoms, even up to 2 weeks after they have disappeared. Gastroenteritis spreads when a person comes in contact with the vomit or faeces of an infected person, including:

• person-to-person contact (e.g. shaking hands with someone who has been sick and has the virus on their hands)
• contaminated objects (e.g. door handles, toys, utensils etc.)
• contaminated food or drink

Prevention of Gastroenteritis

The following steps will help reduce your chances of contracting gastroenteritis. You must:

• avoid contaminated water and ice cubes; there is no harm in boiling tap water before use (make sure it is cooled prior to drinking).
• wash fruits & vegetables thoroughly. 
• not eat raw or undercooked foods (meats).
• avoid contaminated food (especially when travelling abroad).
• wash your hands often with soap and water (use alcohol-based hand sanitizer until you can access soap & water).

The following steps will help to prevent person-to-person spread of gastroenteritis. You must:

• wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom or changing a child’s diaper.
• wash your hands before, during and after preparing food.
• wash your hands before eating.  
• ensure that towels are not shared; likewise, kitchen utensils, cups, glasses and plates should not be shared if someone in the household is affected by gastroenteritis.
• keep your child at home if she/he has gastroenteritis, in order to prevent its spread in schools.
• remain at home if you are an adult with gastroenteritis, in order to prevent its spread at the workplace.

Treatment:
While healthcare workers try to prevent dehydration, patients are encouraged to drink plenty of fluids and take paracetamol if there is fever and/or aches and pains.
The Ministry of Health is committed to improving the health of the people of Saint Kitts and Nevis and wishes to thank the public for its continued support. The health ministry will continue to establish monitoring mechanisms and address any increase in cases of gastroenteritis.
 
For more information, please contact the Ministry of Health at 465 2521 or email health@gov.kn