Food poisoning, also called foodborne sickness, happens when you eat contaminated food. Contaminated foods have harmful organisms living in it, such as bacteria, fungi, parasites, or viruses. Food poisoning may develop due to these microbes’ poisonous waste products.
Toxins are eliminated from the body as a protective mechanism after ingestion. You might get rid of the poison by throwing up, developing a fever, or both. Your body’s response to food poisoning is the unpleasant symptoms you experience, which might take two days to develop.
Causes of Food Poisoning
- Bacteria And Viruses
Bacteria and viruses like Salmonella, Escherichia coli (E. coli), Listeria, and Campylobacter cause most cases of food poisoning. The severity and intensity of food poisoning symptoms vary depending on the specific organism responsible for the contamination.
- Parasites
Parasites, like Giardia and Cryptosporidium, are organisms that survive off of the resources and safety of other organisms, called hosts. The most common hosts for these parasites are dirty water and raw meat.
- Toxins
Most cases of food poisoning are caused by bacteria, viruses, and parasites, as opposed to toxic substances in the food. However, some cases of food poisoning can be attributed to either naturally occurring or artificially added contaminants and chemicals.
- Allergens
An allergic reaction to food is an aberrant response by the immune system to a particular meal. People who suffer from food allergies may have adverse responses when exposed to foods including nuts, dairy products, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, or soybeans.
Symptoms of Food Poisoning
The type of germ you consume will determine the severity of your symptoms. The most typical signs of food poisoning are:
- Stomach cramps.
- Muscle aches.
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Dehydration
Treatment of Food Poisoning
Keeping yourself hydrated is the best home treatment for food poisoning. Diarrhea, vomiting, and fever can cause significant fluid loss. Water, clear broth, and electrolyte replacement beverages can assist in maintaining hydration and replenishing lost electrolytes.
Mild meals like bread, crackers, bananas, and rice can be reintroduced once the initial bout of nausea and vomiting has passed. Avoid foods that are high in fat, sugar, or spice since these may make your condition worse.
Symptoms can be managed with the use of several over-the-counter (OTC) medications. However, talking to a doctor before taking any medication is crucial, as different conditions call for different treatments.
Prevention of Food Poisoning
It’s important to clean fresh produce in sanitary water thoroughly. Prepare food safely by washing your hands and any tools you use. Cutting boards, countertops, and plates should all be washed and disinfected before being used.
Separate raw meats and eggs from other foods to prevent infection. Meat products may harbor bacteria that are killed during cooking. Transferring those germs to an uncooked food item increases the likelihood that they will grow and spread.
Cooked dishes should be refrigerated or frozen within two hours to prevent bacteria growth. Look for signs of mold and other microbial growth in your refrigerated items. Toss out any dairy that has gone bad or is past its expiration date.
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If you think you have food poisoning symptoms or want to book an appointment with board-certified specialists at Novomed, call us toll-free on 8006686 or click the live chat icon at the bottom of the screen.