Dr. Saad Anwar, Consultant General Surgeon and Gastroenterologist at Apollo Spectra Hospital, Kanpur, India, said that unhygienic food preparation and poor sanitation can lead to stomach discomfort and even life-threatening conditions.
"Unhygienic food handling, poor sanitation, and contaminated water create a breeding ground for harmful microbes. The impacts range from mild stomach discomfort to life-threatening conditions if left untreated or ignored," Saad was quoted as saying by the Hindustan Times on Friday.
The gastroenterologist said that food and water contaminated with bacteria, viruses, and parasites can trigger infections, especially in children with weak immune systems.
He also explained that contaminated food and water can cause infection.
Severe diarrhea, this condition is caused by food and water contaminated with bacteria such as E. coli, salmonella, shigella can cause severe diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and fever, even in some cases the infection can spread to the bloodstream and cause serious complications.
Viral gastroenteritis, often called stomach flu, norovirus and rotavirus are spread through unclean food and water, causing nausea, watery diarrhea, and dehydration which are dangerous for children.
Parasitic infections such as Guardian and Entamoeba histolytica can cause long-term diarrhea, bloating, fatigue, and even malnutrition if not treated promptly.
Food poisoning caused by microbes that release toxins because food is not stored properly or spoiled causes diarrhea, bloating, fatigue and malnutrition.
Repeated exposure to food and water contaminated with viruses and bacteria not only causes acute infections but also weakens the intestinal lining, impairing nutrient absorption and thus increasing the risk of irritable bowel syndrome or chronic digestive problems.
