Since March, more than six thousand diarrhoea patients across the country have been reportedly brought to different hospitals and many had to be admitted for proper treatment (although the numbers may vary according to the source but they are always in thousands). The International Center for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) admitted more than 400 patients, mostly children, on average each day as temperatures hit 37 degrees celsius in many parts of the country.

So this number may actually be only the tip of the iceberg with many cases not even being reported. Although there has been no major loss of lives however, it is the cost that has taken the toll on the government. The main reason behind this epidemic is said to be the lack of clean water.

Gastroenteritis is a condition that causes irritation and inflammation of the stomach and intestines (the gastrointestinal tract). An infection may be caused by bacteria, virus or parasites in spoiled food or unclean water. Some foods may irritate the stomach and cause gastroenteritis.

Virus and bacteria are very contagious and can spread through contaminated food or water. In up to 50 percent of diarrhoeal outbreaks, no specific agent is found. Improper handwashing following a bowel movement or handling dirty things can spread the disease from person to person. Gastroenteritis caused by viruses may last 1-2 days. On the other hand, bacterial cases can last a week or more.

Many people who experience the vomiting, abdominal cramp low grade fever and diarrheoa those develop from these types of infections or irritations. Travelers to foreign countries may experience traveler's diarrhoea from contaminated food and unclean water.

Most people recover easily from a short bout with vomiting and diarrhoea by drinking fluids and easing back into a normal diet. But for others, such as babies and the elderly, loss of body fluid with gastroenteritis can cause dehydration, which is life-threatening illness unless the condition is treated and fluids restored.

Self-care at home
The mainstay of home treatment of gastroenteritis is to drink fluids. Fluid intake helps correct electrolyte imbalance, which may stop vomiting. The following tips may help you get rid of these diseases.

Cola, tea, fruit juice, and carbonated soft drinks will not correctly replace fluid or electrolytes lost from diarrhea or vomiting. Nor will plain water. The intestines irritated by gastroenteritis do not absorb plain water as well. In addition, plain water will not replace electrolytes and may dilute electrolytes to the point of seizures.

After each loose stool, children younger than 2 years should be given 1-3 ounces of any of the oral rehydration saline (ORS). Older children should be asked to drink 3-8 ounces. Zinc tablet should be given with ORS.

This guideline serves only to replace fluid loss due to diarrhea. Drink additional fluid equal to the amount you normally drink.

The World Health Organisation has established a field recipe for fluid rehydration: Mix 2 tablespoons of sugar (or honey) with ¼ teaspoon of table salt and ¼ teaspoon of baking soda. (Baking soda may be substituted with ¼ teaspoon of table salt.) Mix in 1 liter (1 qt) of clean or previously boiled water.

You will need solid foods eventually to help end the diarrhoea. After 24 hours, begin to offer bland foods with - bananas, rice, chira without sugar, toast, pasta, or potatoes.

In case of adult, they should eat ice chips and clear, non-caffeinated, non-dairy liquids such as gatorade, ginger ale, fruit and juices.

After 24 hours of fluid diet without vomiting, begin a soft-bland solid diet.

When to seek medical care
If you or someone appears weak and dizzy while standing, dehydration is possible. If you cannot drink fluids, but continue to lose fluids through fever, vomiting, and diarrhoea, you should consult with a doctor.

If you appear sleepy or unaware, you should definitely be taken to a doctor or hospital's emergency department.

If you have any of the following symptoms, go to a hospital's emergency department:

• Blood in the vomit or stool
• Vomiting that lasts more than 48 hours
• Fever higher than 101°F
• Swollen abdomen or abdominal pain in the right lower part of the abdomen
• Dehydration (check for little to no urination, extreme thirst, lack of tears, and dry mouth)