Gastroenteritis or food poisoning is a frequent cause of diarrhoea in the community. It is due to ingestion of food or water contaminated by bacteria or viruses. Food is a rich culture medium for bacteria, especially if it is improperly cooked and mishandled, or left unrefrigerated for long period before consumption. Warm temperature stimulates bacteria to grow and multiply in the food. Contaminated water also serves a vehicle for outbreaks of food poisoning.
