Food Poisoning
On this page, you will find everything you are looking for regarding food poisoning.
What Is Food Poisoning?
Food poisoning occurs due to bacteria, viruses, or toxins present in food–some of which naturally occur on food while others accumulate in the environment. When contaminated food or drink is consumed, the body reacts to cleanse itself through diarrhea or vomiting.
What Are the Symptoms of Food Poisoning?
- A person may develop food poisoning after ingesting certain germs. Symptoms can vary depending on the germ consumed, ranging from mild to severe, and may last for a few hours or days. The most common symptoms include:
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain or cramps
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- General feeling of fatigue
Headache
What Causes Food Poisoning?
- Some foods are more associated with foodborne illnesses and food poisoning than others. Causes of food poisoning include:
- Consuming raw animal-origin foods that are more susceptible to contamination–specifically raw or undercooked meat and poultry.
- Eating contaminated fruits and vegetables without washing them properly.
- Consuming fish high in mercury, such as shark.
- Eating food that has not been stored properly.
Eating or drinking food past its expiration date.
How Is Food Poisoning Diagnosed?:
- The doctor takes a medical history and performs a clinical examination and may request additional procedures as needed, such as:
Asking about visible symptoms and what has been recently eaten or drunk. Additionally, a stool sample or blood test may be taken to check for specific parasites or bacteria to correctly diagnose the condition and the type of food poisoning the patient has experienced.
What Are the Treatments for Food Poisoning?
- Treatment involves several procedures, or as required by the situation, and may include:
- Increasing fluid intake to prevent dehydration.
Following a light, low-fat diet, such as eating toast and cucumber, to ease the intestines.
Note that antibiotics for certain bacterial types of food poisoning are rarely prescribed.
How Can Food Poisoning be Prevented?
- Consuming safe foods is the most important way to prevent foodborne illnesses, and this is done in stages:
- Clean products well, in addition to washing hands and utensils before preparing food.
- Avoid cross-contamination by separating raw meat and eggs from fresh products and other food items.
- Cook meat and seafood thoroughly.
Refrigerate or freeze ready meals within two hours of cooking, and store them well.
What Are the Complications of Food Poisoning?
Although complications from food poisoning are rare, they can be severe, with the most serious being severe dehydration.
When Should You See a Doctor?
- A patient should see a doctor if severe symptoms appear, including:
- Bloody diarrhea
- Persistent diarrhea for more than three days
- High fever
- Frequent vomiting
Signs of dehydration, which include urinating infrequently, dry mouth and throat, and feeling dizzy when standing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do different bodies react differently when infected with food poisoning?
Yes, you may be more susceptible to severe food poisoning if your body reacts more aggressively, or if the immune system is not strong or moderately strong; for example, children under five have a stronger reaction due to their immature immune system.
Is food poisoning contagious?
Yes, the infection can spread from person to person if germs are touched, as they may be present on surfaces around the infected person or on hands.
How long can food poisoning last?
