Food Poisoning :-
Food poisoning is also called foodborne illness. This illness is caused by eating contaminated food. Infectious organisms like bacteria, viruses and parasites or their toxins are the most usual causes of food poisoning.
Infectious organisms or their toxins can infect food at any point of processing or production. Contamination can also take place at home if food is not properly handled or cooked.
Food poisoning symptoms, which can begin in hours of eating contaminated food, frequently include nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Most frequently, food poisoning is lenient and get better without treatment. But some people require to go to the hospital.
Food Poisoning Symptoms :-
Symptoms of food poisoning can be anywhere from lenient to very critical. Your symptoms can be different depending on the germ you swallowed.
The most usual symptoms of food poisoning are :
• Upset stomach,
• Stomach cramps,
• Nausea,
• Vomiting,
• Diarrhea,
• Fever.
After you swallow an infected (contaminated) food or drink, it can take hours or days to develop the symptoms. If you have symptoms of food poisoning, like diarrhea or vomiting, drink plenty of fluids to chre dehydration (not having enough water in your body).
When to See a Doctor :-
If you undergo any of the following signs or symptoms, take medical attention.
• Often vomiting and inability to keep liquids down,
• Bloody vomit or stools,
• Diarrhea for more than three days,
• Very pain or critical abdominal cramping,
• An oral temperature greater than 100.4 F (38 C),
• Signs or symptoms of dehydration unrestricted thirst, dry mouth, little or no urination, critical weakness, dizziness, or lightheadedness,
• Neurological symptoms like blurry vision, muscle weakness and tingling in the arms.
Food Poisoning Causes :-
Food poisoning can affect one person or a group of people all ate the same food. It is more usual after eating at picnics, school cafeterias, large social functions, or restaurants.
( A ) When germs enter into the food, it is called contamination. This may take place in different ways :
• Meat or poultry can come into touch with bacteria from the intestines of an animal that is being prepared.
• Water that is used while growing or shipping can consist animal or human waste.
• Food can be handled in an unsafe way during preparation in grocery stores, restaurants, or homes.
( B ) Food poisoning can take place after eating or drinking :
• Any food made by someone who has not wash their hands properly,
• Any food made using cooking utensils, cutting boards, and other tools that are not properly cleaned,
• Dairy products or food containing mayonnaise (such as coleslaw or potato salad) that have been out of the refrigerator for long time,
• Frozen or refrigerated foods that are not keept at the proper temperature or are not reheated to the right temperature,
• Raw fish or oysters,
• Raw fruits or vegetables that have not been washed neatly,
• Raw vegetables or fruit juices and dairy products (look for the word "pasteurized," which means the food has been treated to cure contamination),
• Undercooked meats or eggs,
• Water of a well or stream, or city or town water that is not been treated.
( C ) Many types of germs and toxins can cause food poisoning, involving :
• Campylobacter enteritis,
• Cholera,
• E coli enteritis,
• Toxins in spoiled or tainted fish or shellfish,
• Staphylococcus aureus,
• Salmonella,
• Shigella.
( D ) Infants and older people are at the higher risk for food poisoning. You are also at higher risk if :
• You have a critical medical condition, like kidney disease, diabetes, cancer, or HIV and/or AIDS.
• if you are having a weak immune system.
• if you travel outside of the United States to areas where you are exposed to germs that give rise to food poisoning.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women must use extra care to avoid food poisoning.
Complications :-
Dehydration is the most usual complication. This can take place from any causes of food poisoning.
Less usual , but much more critical complications depend on the bacteria that are causing the food poisoning. These may involve :
• Arthritis,
• Bleeding problems,
• Damage to the nervous system,
• Kidney problems,
• irritation or swelling in the tissue around the heart.
Food Poisoning Prevention :-
This article explains safe ways to make and store food to cure food poisoning. It includes tips about what foods to avoid, eating out, and traveling.
( A ) Tips are as follow :
• Properly wash your hands before making or serving food.
• Cook eggs until they are solid, not runny.
• Do not eat raw ground beef, chicken, eggs, or fish.
• Heat all casseroles to 165°F (73.9°C).
• Hotdogs and luncheon meats should be heated to steaming.
• If you take care of young children, wash your hands frequently and dispose of diapers properly so bacteria do not spread to food surfaces where food is been made.
• Use only clean dishes and utensils.
• Use a thermometer when cooking beef to at least 160°F (71.1°C), poultry to at least 180°F (82.2°C), or fish to at least 140°F (60°C).
( B ) Tips for storing food are as follow :
• Do not use that foods which have an uncommon smell or spoiled taste.
• Do not place cooked meat or fish back onto the same plate or container that held the raw meat, unless the container has been fully washed.
• Do not use outdated foods, packaged foods with broken seals, or cans that are bulging or dented.
• If you can your own foods at home, be sure to follow proper canning techniques to cure botulism.
• Keep the refrigerator set to 40°F (4.4°C) and your freezer at or below 0°F (-17.7°C).
• Promptly refrigerate any food you will not be eating.
More tips for preventing food poisoning :
• All dairy products must have the word "Pasteurized" on the container.
• Do not eat foods that may contain raw eggs.
• Do not eat raw honey, only honey that has been heat treated.
• you should not give honey to children under 1 year of age.
• Do not eat soft cheeses.
• Do not eat raw vegetable sprouts.
• Do not eat shellfish that has been exposed to red tide.
• you should wash all raw fruits, vegetables, and herbs with cold running water.
( C ) Tips for eating out safely :
• See if all fruit juices have been pasteurized.
• Be careful at salad bars, buffets, sidewalk vendors, potluck meals, and delicatessens. Make sure cold foods are kept cold and hot foods are kept hot.
• Use only salad dressings, sauces, and salsas that come in single-serving packages.
Treatment :
Food Poisoning Treatment :-
Most of the time, you will get better in a couple of days. The goal is to ease symptoms and make sure your body has the proper amount of fluids.
Getting enough fluids and learning what to eat will help keep you comfortable. You may need to :
• Manage the diarrhea,
• Control nausea and vomiting,
• Get plenty of rest.
You can drink oral rehydration mixtures to replace fluids and minerals lost by vomiting and diarrhea.
Oral rehydration powder can be purchased from a pharmacy. Be sure to mix the powder in clean water.
If you have diarrhea and are unable to drink or keep down fluids, you can need fluids given through a vein (by IV). This can be more usual in young children.
For the most usual causes of food poisoning, your doctor will not recommend antibiotics.
You may buy medicines at the drugstore that help slow diarrhea.
• Do not use these medicines without talking to your doctor if you have bloody diarrhea, a fever, or the diarrhea is critical.
• Do not give these medicines to children.