BANGALORE: Two of the four persons from Koramangala, who were admitted to the Epidemic Diseases Hospital on Sunday with complaints of severe gastroenteritis, were discharged on Monday.

Stool samples of the patients have been sent to a laboratory to determine whether they have been infected with the vibrio cholerae bacteria. The results are expected within 48 hours, hospital officials said. The results of the "hanging drop" test, an initial analysis to check for the presence of the bacteria, were negative for the two persons who have been discharged, the officials added.

Doctors and health officials said most people admitted for gastroenteritis in summer are tested for cholera. "Since the symptoms are similar, we always prefer to do laboratory tests to confirm or rule out cholera," said Veeresh Sharma, Medical Superintendent of the Epidemic Diseases Hospital.

He said cases of gastroenteritis are usually reported immediately after rainy spells in summer as water gets contaminated with sewage. The hospital receives eight cases of gastroenteritis daily during this period on average, he said.

There are no reports of outbreak of cholera in the State, and "the incidence of gastroenteritis is normal for this part of the year," he added.

At Mallya Hospital and M.S. Ramaiah Memorial Hospital, doctors said at least two cases of gastroenteritis are reported there daily.

Acute diarrhoea or gastroenteritis is the passage of loose stools frequently. It is most often caused due to an infection by bacteria such as E. coli and

vibrio cholerae, or by certain viruses and parasites such as giardia. The symptoms are more severe for people infected with the cholera bacteria.

Symptoms of the condition include nausea, vomiting abdominal cramps and gas. Individuals with the illness are also likely to be dehydrated, which may lead to light-headedness, weakness, confusion, kidney failure and even death, doctors said.

Radhakrishna Hegde, Professor of Paediatrics at the M.S. Ramaiah Medical College, suggested that during the rainy season, one should not have fruits and foods sold by roadside vendors. "After the showers, there is a good chance that the water is infected with bacteria or viruses. It is difficult to find out about the quality of water vendors use," he adds. Water for drinking should be boiled, he suggested.

Dr. Hegde said vegetables should be washed in boiled water before they are cooked. Food should not be refrigerated for long periods.

"Old food has a greater chance of harbouring diarrhoea-producing bacteria or virus,' he said.

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