Food Related Sickness

Food poisoning comes from eating food that contains germs like bad bacteria’s or toxins. Foods from animals, raw foods and unwashed veggies can contain germs which cause food related sickness. More than 250 known diseases can be transmitted through foods. The cause of food poisoning can be divided into two categories:

1.Infectious agents like virus, bacteria and parasites.
2.Toxic agents like poisonous mushrooms, pesticides or improper cooking.

Symptoms:

Symptoms of food poisoning are:
1. Upset stomach
2. Nausea
3. Cramps in the stomach
4. Diarrhea
5. Vomiting and sometimes even high fever.

The symptoms of food poisoning can show up within hours of eating bad food. You may not feel sick too long for mild poisoning but sometimes the patient has to be hospitalized.

How can a doctor help?

He will ask you many questions and make you take some tests to detect the germ that might have caused food poisoning. The treatment will depend on the specific germ detected. Generally, you don’t need to be hospitalized, except in the case of dehydration or if you have blood in your poop. A child below the age of three needs immediate attention as food poisoning in infants can cause death, if not taken seriously. Most importantly, instructions should be followed exactly as directed by the doctor.

How to fight the germs:

Many precautions can be taken to prevent food poisoning:
1. Wash your hand with soap and water before preparing the food or eating it.
2. Wash fruits and veggies well with running water before eating.
3. If something looks or smells different from normal don’t eat it. If you are planning to eat left over, heat it properly. Heating kills bacteria.
4. Always check the expiry date. Don’t eat anything which has expired.
5. Refrigerate or freeze perishable foods within two hours of purchasing or preparing them.
6. Do not eat solid food while vomiting but take plenty of fluids, they will keep you hydrated.
7. Avoid alcoholic or caffeinated drinks.

Most food poisoning is not serious but some can result in long term illness.