Food Poisoning Symptoms and Treatment
Food Poisoning Basics
Food poisoning is common and can be caught in many different areas including hotels, Restaurants and even family gatherings. Simply put food poisoning is an acute inflammation of the stomach and small intestine caused by ingesting food or drink that contained either a pathogenic micro organism, their waste or a poisonous chemical. Generally it strikes a group of people who have similar symptoms and can recall having the same food just hours before becoming sick.
The two types of food poisoning are Bacterial; where the food ingested contains a pathogenic bacterium or their toxin, or Non bacterial; where the food is tainted with fertilizers, insecticides, heavy metals and other chemicals. Bacterial food poisoning is the most common so it will be explained further.
Everyday people ingest bacteria. The ones that cause damage secrete toxins and can cause clinical manifestations. Food poisoning occurs when:
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bacteria is present in the water
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toxins are found in the food or in the raw materials used for the food
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toxins or micro organisms are found on the surfaces the food touches
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food handlers are infected
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Animals contaminate the food
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Prepared food is kept at room temperature for an extended period of time.
The most common types of Bacterial food poisoning are Salmonella, Botulism, Staphylococcal, Clostridium and Bacillus cereus. Salmonella has comes in three different types which have bacteria generally found in milk, milk products, and eggs. Symptoms generally include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and occasionally a fever.
Botulism can be very dangerous and is caused by clostridium botulinum. It is found on spores that can be seen in soil and enters the body though pickles, canned fish and other like foods. This type of food symptom affects the nervous system and symptoms include double vision, numbness with weakness. If not treated it can lead to paralysis, cardiac and respiratory failure and eventually death.
Staphylococcal is cased by staphylo coccus aureus which usually cause skin irritations like boils. In cows this causes mastitis which is passed through the milk and milk products. The symptoms included vomiting abdominal cramps and diarrhea
Clostridium is caused by clostridium perfringens which are present in the stool, soil and even water. This food poisoning can result when meat or egg dishes are left at room temperature for a while and then reheated. Like many of the other bacterial food poisonings the symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps.
Bacillus Cereus is a unique food poisoning because the spores of the organism can survive cooking and still cause enteritis. The common symptoms include diarrhea and vomiting.
When investigating food poisoning each person must be examined individually. One of the first steps involves testing the stools of all the victims in order to identify the bacteria and begin treating it. Their water samples and food storage/preparation areas should be examined to find the cause. Also the cook and food handlers should be questioned.
How to prevent food poisoning
The best thing to do is to take steps to prevent food poisoning. That can be done by:
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Purifying water before using it.
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maintaining good hygiene
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Using caps and gloves when in contact with food.
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keeping sick individuals away from food and food preparation areas
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keeping food preparation areas neat and clean
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washing utensils/pans with soap and hot water
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keeping food in closed containers
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keeping animals away from food and food preparation areas
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washing vegetables before cooking
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Only using fresh meat from recognized slaughter houses.
