Answer:

Dining out is a popular choice for those with busy schedules, those on vacation, or while traveling. However, if restaurants don't maintain proper food safety standards, customers risk diarrhea, stomach aches, and nausea. Diarrhea can also occur if someone is sensitive to certain food components like lactose, gluten, glucose-galactose, or fructose, found in dairy products, honey, and fruits.

Diarrhea affects both children and adults. Symptoms include stomach pain, rumbling stomach, frequent loose stools, vomiting, fatigue, and thirst. Without proper rehydration and electrolyte balance, patients risk coma, circulatory collapse, exhaustion, malnutrition, dehydration, and even death.

For convenient and safe holiday outings, consider packing food and using portable heating devices if possible. If you must eat out, choose establishments known for good hygiene and proper food handling and storage. Avoid food left out in the open for extended periods, and anything you or your family are allergic to.

Food preparation areas in restaurants must maintain proper food handling and storage to prevent diarrhea. Photo: Vecteezy

Food preparation areas in restaurants must maintain proper food handling and storage to prevent diarrhea. Photo: Vecteezy

Numerous viruses and bacteria cause diarrhea. Vaccines are available for some diseases, such as cholera, typhoid fever, hepatitis A, and rotavirus. In Vietnam, there are single and combined vaccines for hepatitis A, administered to children from 12 months of age and adults. Two or three doses are required, depending on the vaccine type and age. The combined hepatitis A and B vaccine requires two doses for children aged 12 months to under 16, and three doses for those 16 and older.

The rotavirus vaccine is recommended for infants from 6 weeks old and should be completed before 32 weeks. There are two types of typhoid fever vaccine, administered to children from 2 years old and adults, with a booster every three years.

The cholera vaccine is recommended for children over two and adults in areas where cholera is prevalent. Two doses are given, at least two weeks apart. For increased protection, children and adults can receive booster doses every two years or before each outbreak season. Boosters also consist of two doses, at least two weeks apart.

Dr. Nguyen Van Quang

Medical Manager, VNVC Vaccination System

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