Stomach Infections And Food Poisoning In Summer- Facts You Must Know!
In regions like Delhi-NCR and across northern India, summer is no longer just about rising temperatures — it’s about surviving them. With each passing year, the heatwaves are becoming harsher, the humidity more relentless, and the risks to health more severe. These extreme conditions create the perfect breeding ground for germs and bacteria, leading to a sharp spike in stomach infections, food poisoning, and diarrhoeal diseases during this season.
The silver lining?
With a few simple habits and precautions, you can protect yourself from most digestive troubles. And if you’re on the lookout for easy home remedies for stomach infections, we’ve got you covered.
What Causes Food Poisoning In Summer?
The combination of high heat and humidity makes summer the perfect breeding ground for bacteria that cause food poisoning. Here’s what to watch out for:
- Contaminated Water – Unclean drinking water or water used in can carry harmful microbes.
- Spoiled or Undercooked Food – Warm weather speeds up food spoilage and boosts bacterial growth.
- Street Food with Poor Hygiene – Tempting but risky, especially when food is kept uncovered or handled carelessly.
- Improper Food Storage – Leaving food out for too long or not refrigerating leftovers can turn them into bacterial hotspots.
- Poor Hand Hygiene – Hands that come into contact with contaminated surfaces—like currency, phones, or door handles—can easily transfer germs to food if not properly washed before eating or cooking.
- Flies and Insects – Common in Indian summers, they spread bacteria by landing on uncovered food.
Major Bacteria Behind Food Poisoning In Summer
- Salmonella – Found in raw eggs, poultry, and meat.
- coli – Often from contaminated water or undercooked beef.
- Staphylococcus aureus – Spreads through improper food handling.
- Campylobacter – Comes from undercooked chicken or unpasteurized milk.
- Listeria – A risk in refrigerated, ready-to-eat foods if not stored properly.
How To Know It’s Food Poisoning?
Food poisoning usually shows up fast and hits hard. Common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and loose motions. You might also feel weak, feverish, or get chills. In some cases, it can cause dehydration, especially if you’re losing a lot of fluids. The signs may show up within a few hours of eating contaminated food or can take a day or two. Either way, if your stomach suddenly feels like it’s in revolt—food poisoning is a likely culprit.
What To Do If You Have Food Poisoning – Home Remedies For Stomach Infection
If you have anyone in the family with a history of digestive issues in summer, make sure they eat home- cooked meals. This is an important preventive step to dodge food poisoning in the first place. For those who did take precautions but got infected in some way can gain relief from the home remedies for stomach infections listed below:
- Design a hydration plan: More the fluids, better the chances of flushing out toxins and bacteria. Ensure the patient gets more fluids like coconut water, soup, herbal tea, and 4/5 glasses of water daily.
- Prepare non-spicy meals: This aids in better digestion and reduces digestive irregularities.
- Add ginger and garlic: Ginger and garlic are loaded with anti-inflammatory properties which help to fight and eliminate bacterial infection.
- Have probiotics: The probiotic properties in yogurt can help, but it might or might not suit the patient depending on whether or not they are lactose intolerant.
- Avoid all types of high fiber, fried and raw food.
- Also, avoid caffeine, nicotine and alcohol.
When To Consult A Doctor?
- See a doctor if your immune system is weak, if you’re pregnant, over 60, or have ongoing health issues like diabetes, kidney problems, or bowel disease.
- Your symptoms worsen and do not get better after a few days.
- If you keep throwing up, have pain, and can’t drink anything.
- There are signs of serious dehydration—like feeling confused, having a fast heartbeat, dry or sunken eyes, or significantly less peeing.
- Also, don’t wait if you think a baby or young child has food poisoning.
Steer Clear Of Digestive Issues In Summer!
Your health depends on your lifestyle: what you eat, your hygiene, sleep patterns, whether or not you get enough exercise- every aspect is crucial. Research finds that food poisoning in summer occurs frequently in individuals who eat outside and have minimum regard for hand hygiene. So, if you are looking for sure-shot ways to steer clear of digestive issues in summer, pay attention to your food choices and cleanliness. In case you or your loved ones are experiencing mild stomach upset symptoms, try our home remedies for food poisoning; if symptoms are severe, book an appointment with your doctor without delay because food poisoning can lead to severe cases of kidney, nerve and brain damage; dehydration, arthritis and even death.