What are causes of Seasonal Diarrhea?
Most common causes are:
1. Foods that have been cooked and left out for many hours or improper refrigeration and storage.
2. Cooking food at improper temperatures, e.g. meat or eggs.
3. Poor personal hygiene, e.g. washing hands or using hand sanitizer.
4. Improper raw food storage, i.e. seafood or meat.
5. Fresh vegetables improperly stored and contaminated by unidentified sources.
6. Contamination during the manufacturing process or expired canned foods.
Signs and Symptoms of Seasonal Diarrhea
1. Nausea
2. Vomiting
3. Diarrhea
4. Abdominal cramps
5. Fever (in case of infectious diarrhea)
6. Exhaustion due to dehydration
How to Protect Yourself
1. Wash your hands often, particularly before meals.
2. Wash your hands after using the toilet.
3. Wash fruit, vegetables or raw products before cutting, cooking or eating.
4. Keep raw meat and ready-to-eat foods separate to avoid cross-contamination.
5. Cook food to the proper temperature.
6. Wash utensils and cutting boards after each use and keep kitchen surfaces clean.
7. Refrigerate food promptly to below 40°F.
8. Do not consume foods that have been cooked and left out for many hours.