Up to 20 children die yearly in Moldova of acute diarrheic diseases

A campaign will be carried out in Moldova during May 1-31 to inform the population about the measures of preventing acute diarrheic diseases and food poisonings, the Ministry of Health announces in a communiqué, quoted by Info-Prim Neo. The acute diarrheic diseases include cholera, dysentery, salmonella, typhoid fever and others. The symptoms are: fever of up to 400C, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, severe diarrhea, weakness, cephalic pain, or even severe dehydration and toxic-infectious shock in some cases. According to statistics, up to 20 children younger than five die yearly in Moldova from acute diarrheic diseases. Of all childhood infectious diseases, diarrheic diseases are thought to have the greatest effect on growth, by reducing appetite, altering feeding patterns, and decreasing absorption of nutrients. The number of diarrheic episodes in the first two years of life has been shown not only to affect growth but also fitness, cognitive function, and school performance. The following personal care precautions can help an individual avoid diarrhea and other viral or bacterial infections: children should be instructed to wash their hands after using the bathroom; practice safe food-handling; avoid raw or rare meat and poultry; fruits and vegetables consumed raw should be thoroughly rinsed in clean water.