By Sally Farhat for MSN Health & Fitness:
Along with the fun of summer comes the "fun" of summer sicknesses. But don’t worry. Follow our handy guide, and you should stay healthy all summer.
[M]any foods become breeding grounds for bacteria when left in heat and humidity. Everything from diarrhea to vomiting to food poisoning can result.
How to prevent them: Don’t eat hot food that’s become cold or chilled food that’s warm. Keep perishable picnic goodies in one cooler, and use another cooler for drinks. Wash your hands often or take a tip from the American Dietetic Association and bring along moistened wipes if running water isn’t readily available. Separate raw and cooked foods, and cook everything thoroughly. If food has been sitting out for more than two hours and you’re not sure it’s OK to eat, toss it. If it’s hotter than 90 degrees, that time is decreased to an hour.
If you get sick: If you get diarrhea or start throwing up, you’ll get dehydrated. Drink fluids with electrolytes or take diarrhea medicine if it gets severe. See your doctor if your fever goes over 101.5 degrees, you have blood in your stools, you feel dizzy or if the diarrhea lasts more than three days.
