Quick overview of the symptoms of food poisoning:
If you have eaten contaminated food, you may experience the following symptoms:
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain or cramps
- Loose or watery stools, sometimes with blood.
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Bloating and gas in the stomach
- Headache.
- Weakness.
What is food poisoning?
Food poisoning is a foodborne illness caused by consuming contaminated food or drinks. It occurs when harmful germs or substances are in what people eat or drink. Toxins produced by bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus can also cause food poisoning.
Symptoms of food poisoning often include an upset stomach, diarrhea, and vomiting. These symptoms usually begin within hours or days after eating contaminated food. Most people with food poisoning experience mild illness and recover without treatment. However, in some cases, food poisoning can lead to serious illness or complications.
What causes food poisoning?
Many germs and harmful agents in food or drink, known as contaminants, can cause food poisoning, a type of foodborne illness. Food or drink containing a contaminant is called contaminated.
Food may be contaminated with any of the following:
- During processing, meat or poultry may contact bacteria from the animal’s intestines.
- Water used during growing or shipping may contain animal or human waste.
- Food can be handled unsafely during preparation in grocery stores, restaurants, or homes.
Food poisoning can occur after eating or drinking:
- Any food prepared by someone who has not washed their hands properly.
- Any food that is prepared using cooking utensils, cutting boards, and other tools that have not been thoroughly cleaned.
- Dairy products or mayonnaise-based foods, such as coleslaw or potato salad, that have been left out of the refrigerator for too long.
- Frozen or refrigerated foods not stored or reheated at the proper temperature.
- Raw fish or oysters
- Unwashed raw fruits or vegetables
- Unpasteurized raw vegetables, fruit juices, and dairy products.
- Undercooked meats or eggs
- Unfiltered water from a well, stream, or untreated city or town water.
Many types of germs and toxins may cause food poisoning, including:
- Campylobacter jejuni
- Cholera
- Toxins in spoiled or tainted fish or shellfish
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Salmonella
- Shigella
- Yersinia
Risk factors:
You are also at higher risk if:
- Infants are at risk for food poisoning because their immune systems are not fully developed.
- Older people because they have a weak immune system.
- You have a chronic medical condition, such as kidney disease, diabetes, cancer, or HIV/AIDS.
- You travel outside of the country to places where you are exposed to germs that cause food poisoning.
- You are pregnant, you should take extra care to avoid food poisoning.
How is food poisoning usually diagnosed?
Your doctor will ask about the chances of food poisoning, the timeline of your symptoms, and the foods you’ve eaten. Your doctor will also review your past medical history and perform a physical examination.
Additionally, you might also need lab tests to identify the bacteria responsible for your illness. In some cases, the cause remains unknown. Unless many people consume the same meal and become ill, your doctor may find it hard to diagnose a foodborne illness.
What are the treatment options suggested for food poisoning?
Most mild cases of food poisoning are managed similarly to stomach flu (gastroenteritis) and typically resolve within a week. Diarrhea and vomiting can cause significant fluid loss, risking dehydration. The primary focus is on replenishing lost fluids and alleviating symptoms. Doctors may also prescribe anti-nausea medications to help prevent vomiting.
In cases of some bacterial food poisoning, your doctor might prescribe antibiotics to fight the bacteria. However, antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections. In severe cases, you may need to be hospitalized.
Contact your doctor or seek medical attention if you are unable to keep fluids down or if your symptoms persist.
What steps can you take to prevent food poisoning?
Maintain good hygiene and cleanliness:
- Regularly wash your hands and surfaces.
- Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm or cold water before, during, and after food preparation, as well as before eating.
- Always wash your hands after touching raw meat, chicken, poultry, seafood, flour, or eggs.
- Clean utensils, cutting boards, and countertops with hot, soapy water after each use. Rinse fresh fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water.
Keep separate to avoid cross-contamination.
- Raw meat, chicken, other poultry, seafood, and eggs can transfer bacteria to ready-to-eat foods if they are not kept separate.
- Keep raw or marinating meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs separate from all other foods in the refrigerator.
- Use separate cutting boards or plates for raw meat, poultry, and seafood, and keep a different one for produce, bread, and other foods that would not be cooked.
- Raw chicken is ready to cook and should not be washed beforehand. Washing these foods can spread bacteria to other foods, the sink, and the counter, raising your risk of illness.
Cook at the correct temperature.
- Food is thoroughly cooked when its internal temperature is high enough to eliminate germs that could lead to illness.
- Use a food thermometer to ensure foods reach a safe internal temperature. Learn the correct way to insert the thermometer into different foods for an accurate reading.
- Microwave food thoroughly by adhering to the suggested cooking and resting durations. Allowing the food to sit for a few minutes after microwaving helps cold spots absorb heat from warmer areas, resulting in more even cooking.
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Cool quickly in the refrigerator.
- Package warm or hot food into several clean, shallow containers and then refrigerate. It is acceptable to place small portions of hot food in the refrigerator, as they will cool quickly.
- Refrigerate perishable foods such as meat, seafood, dairy, cut fruit, certain vegetables, and cooked leftovers within 2 hours.
- Defrost frozen food safely using the refrigerator, cold water, or microwave. Avoid defrosting on the counter, as bacteria proliferate at room temperature.
Conclusion:
Knowing symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and an upset stomach can help your doctor diagnose food poisoning. Usually, it is not serious, and most people recover within a few days without treatment. However, for pregnant women, young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems, food poisoning can be dangerous. These groups should avoid raw and unwashed foods, especially raw or undercooked meat, poultry, fish, shellfish, and unpasteurized milk and dairy products. If your symptoms persist and you still feel exhausted, seek medical attention immediately.
Frequently asked questions
What are the effects of food poisoning I should anticipate?
Most individuals recover within a few days without treatment. However, if you or someone you are caring for has an unusually severe reaction, medical help may be necessary. The primary cause of serious issues is dehydration, particularly in children under 5, adults over 65, pregnant women, or those with weakened immune systems.
When should I contact my doctor about food poisoning?
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding and experience food poisoning, contact your healthcare provider. Also, call if you are caring for a child under five or someone 65 or older who is having difficulty staying hydrated. These age groups are more vulnerable to dehydration. Seek medical advice if you or your child develops any unusual symptoms, such as a persistent high fever over 102°F (38.9°C), bloody diarrhea or vomiting, dark or no urine, blurred vision, delirium or confusion, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
Can food poisoning be transmitted from person to person?
Food poisoning infections are contagious and spread easily. When infected, germs are released through tiny particles from vomit or stool, which can stay on surfaces or your fingers. These particles can transfer to others if they come into contact with contaminated surfaces or food. In enclosed settings such as schools or cruise ships, the spread of these infections can occur quickly.
What steps should you take if you experience food poisoning?
Stay home from school or work until you have been free of sickness or diarrhea for at least two days. Rest and stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. You might want to ask your pharmacist about an oral rehydration solution (ORS). When you feel ready to eat, start with small, light meals. Good options include bland foods like toast, crackers, bananas, and rice, which can help alleviate symptoms until they improve. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, carbonated drinks, spicy foods, and fatty foods, as they could make your condition worse.
What steps can I take to avoid food poisoning when dining out?
Food businesses must comply with food safety regulations to prevent foodborne illness. When dining out, check that the restaurant or café looks clean before ordering. When selecting your meal, it is advisable to avoid high-risk items, ask for freshly cooked dishes, avoid lukewarm food, steer clear of items that seem to have been stored for several days, and if uncertain, ask how the food was prepared and stored.
