Leftovers should be refrigerated to prevent bacterial growth. [Photo/previews.123rf.com] Gastroenteritis (stomach flu, gastric flu) is an inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, that involves the stomach and the small intestine. It is causes by bacteria (or their toxins), parasites or viruses. When the infection is brought on by contaminated food, it's referred to as food poisoning.
It causes diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain and cramping.
Food poisoning may result from improperly prepared food or contaminated water. Food that is left out for long attracts bacteria. Bacteria usually encroach on food at room temperature. They invade the food, eat, multiply and when they reach hundreds of millions of organisms, they start producing poisonous by-products that cause food poisoning.
Common foods that cause gastroenteritis are raw/undercooked meat, poultry, fruit, vegetable juices, unpasteurized milk, seafood and eggs.
When you have a case of food poisoning, fill up on fluids since the prolonged vomiting and diarrhoea drains fluids from the body. Drinking water, juices or tea keeps you hydrated. Don't eat foods that aren't easy to absorb, or just focus on fluids for a while. When it persists for too long, your doctor can prescribe drugs.
Maintain hygiene and keep food refrigerated since most bacteria don't reproduce at such temperatures.