Food Poisoning

Food Contamination

Food Poisoning is a very common health complication that happens when we eat knowingly or unknowingly unhealthy food which is toxic, rotten or contaminated from bacteria and viruses. Common symptoms are nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. Everyone at some point of time in life gets affected with this. Broadly speaking, it happens due to one of the following reasons:

Bacteria: The most common reason is Bacteria. Some common bacteria that may reach to your stomach through food are: E. coli, Listeria and Salmonella.

Parasites: Parasitic poisoning is not very common but if it happens, can prove fatal. Parasites can stay inactive in our digestive system for years and affects severely to those with a weak immune system. Toxoplasma, a parasite often seen in cases of food poisoning is found in cat litter boxes. Risk for pregnant women is very high if affected from food poisoning due to parasite.

Viruses:  Millions of cases of happen across world due to viruses. The Norwalk virus, Sapovirus, Rotavirus, and Astrovirus are some common examples. Food poisoning due to Norwalk virus can prove dangerous. Hepatitis A is another serious condition that occurs through food.

How food turns toxic?

You may question how food becomes toxic or contaminated? Well, any food item is a sweet place for pathogens. When we cook food these pathogens get killed. Raw items are common sources of food poisoning as these don’t go through cooking process. Also, sometimes while cooking food get in contact with our hands. If hands are not washed properly food becomes toxic. Contaminated water is another major cause. Food products like dairy, meat, eggs get easily contaminated.

Anyone can become ill due to food poisoning. The people suffering from auto-immune disease, those having a weak immune system, pregnant women, small kids and old men and women may have higher chances of suffering due to contaminated food.

Common Symptoms

A person affected with small to mild food poisoning may show a combination of following three symptoms:

• Cramps in stomach
• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• Appetite loss
• Fever
• Weakness
• Nausea
• Headaches

Treatment At Home

In general, it can be treated at home and it goes in three days. During food poisoning it’s crucial to stay hydrated. The affected person should take loads of electrolytes like sports drinks, fruit juice and coconut water etc. Medicines like Imodium and Pepto-Bismol can be taken to control diarrhoea and suppress nausea. The affected person should also require plenty of rest.

Symptoms of serious illness due to food poisoning

A person seriously affected with food poisoning may show following symptoms:

• Prolonged diarrhoea (for more than 2 days)
• High fever (mesauring 101 and above)
• Blurring of vision
• Excessive loss of water from body, which may include dry mouth, little to no urine etc.

If anyone shows such symptoms, they should seek help of a doctor immediately.