What is Food Poisoning:What You Need to Know About Food Poisoning, Its Causes, and Treatment
December 21, 2021
What is Food Poisoning?
Friends, if you do not know, then let us tell you that this food borne disease, which is commonly known as food poisoning, is a result of eating contaminated, spoiled and either it is poisoned food. Also, the most common symptoms of food poisoning include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
Friends, although it is quite uncomfortable, and that food poisoning is not uncommon. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 48 million people in the United States (or about 1 in 7) contract some form of food poisoning each year. And at the same time, out of those 48 million people, 128,000 are hospitalized.
Symptoms of food poisoning
Friends, if you have food poisoning, and it is likely that it will not be detected.
Symptoms may vary depending on the source of the infection.
Let us tell you that in common cases of food poisoning, they will usually include some of the following symptoms:
- cramping in your stomach
- you have diarrhea
- Nausea
- make you vomit
- you lose appetite
- mild fever
- weakness to you
- your headache
Symptoms of potentially life-threatening food poisoning include:
Please tell that this is diarrhea which lasts for more than 3 days only.
fever over 102°F (38.9°C)
that difficulty in seeing and speaking either
as well as symptoms of severe dehydration, which may include dry mouth, decreased urination and either inability to urinate, as well as difficulty keeping fluids down
bloody urine
Friends, if you experience any of these symptoms, and only then contact the doctor immediately and either take this medical treatment.
How long does food poisoning last?
Note that the time it takes for symptoms to appear depends on the source of the infection, as well as this, but it can be at least 30 minutes to 8 weeks.
So that With and without treatments most cases will resolve in 1 week.
Due to food poisoning
Most food poisoning can be traced to one of three main causes: bacteria, parasites, and either this virus.
Let us tell you that these pathogens can also be found in almost all the food consumed by humans. However, it is the heat of cooking that usually kills the pathogens on the food before they reach our plate. And that foods eaten raw are common sources of food poisoning and that’s because they haven’t gone through the cooking process.
Friends, let us tell you that sometimes, food will come in contact with organisms in feces or vomit. And this is because when a sick person cooks food and he does not wash his hands before preparing food.
As well as this meat, eggs and dairy products are often contaminated. Water can also be contaminated with those organisms and those that cause this disease.
Bacteria
Let us tell you that the most common cause of food poisoning is bacteria. And those that cause bacterial causes of food poisoning include:
- This E. coli, specifically the Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC)
- and this Listeria monocytogenes
- and salmonella
- And also I am Campylobacter
- clostridium botulinum
- staphylococcus aureus
- shigella
- And with me Vibrio vulnificus
- And when thinking of these dangerous bacteria, this E. coli as well as this Salmonella these names come to mind for good reason.
Let us tell you that this salmonella is the single largest bacterial cause of food poisoning cases in the United States itself. And that’s only traceable to an estimated 1,350,000 cases of food poisoning, including 26,500 hospitalizations for salmonella infection each year, according to the CDC.
as well as Campylobacter and C. Botulinum are two lesser-known and potentially deadly bacteria that can lurk in our food.
Parasite
And at the same time, food poisoning caused by parasites is not as common as food poisoning caused by bacteria, but parasites that spread through food are still very dangerous. And they then include:
- such as Toxoplasma gondii.
- gut bacteria.
- Various tapeworms, such as:
- as well as Taenia saginata (beef tapeworm)
- such as Taenia solium (pork tapeworm)
- and Diphyllobothrium latum (fish tapeworm)
- Cryptosporidium.
- This is Ascaris lumbricoides, a type of roundworm
- Flukes (flatworms), such as Opisthorchiidae (liver flukes) as well as this Paragonimus (lung fluke)
- pinworms, and either enterobiasis.
Trichinella
So that’s According to a CDC, toxoplasmosis also a leading and cause of death of due to food poisoning in the United States so And the one of that this Toxoplasma gondii is also that ound in the litter box of the cat.
And at the same time, these parasites can live in your digestive system and at the same time, it goes undetected for years. And people with weakened immune systems and those who are pregnant are at risk of more serious side effects if certain parasites take up residence in their intestines.
Virus
Please note that this food poisoning can also be caused by a virus, such as:
- Norovirus, sometimes referred to as the Norwalk virus
- rotavirus
- such as astrovirus
- sapovirus
- hepatitis A virus
- And this norovirus causes 19 to 21 million cases of vomiting as well as diarrhea in the United States each year. In rare cases, it can be fatal. And with this other viruses bring similar symptoms, and that but they are less common.
In addition to this, the virus that causes liver conditions, hepatitis A, can also be transmitted through food.
Food poisoning treatment
Friends, this food poisoning can usually be treated at home. And let me tell you that here are some ways and those that you can help you in treating food poisoning:
Stay hydrated
Let it be known that this is if you have food poisoning, and that it is important to stay properly hydrated. Also, these electrolytes-rich sports drinks can be helpful. Fruit juice as well as this coconut water can restore carbohydrates as well as help relieve fatigue.
Avoid caffeine, as it can irritate the digestive system. In addition to soothing herbs like chamomile, peppermint, and in addition, dandelion, this decaffeinated tea can be of great help in calming an upset stomach.
Take over-the-counter (OTC) medicines
Friends, over-the-counter (OTC) medications such as this loperamide (Imodium) as well as that Pepto-Bismol can help you manage diarrhea as well as suppress nausea.
And friends, however, you should check with your doctor before using these drugs, because the body uses vomiting and diarrhea to rid the system of toxins. Moreover, using all these types of medicines can hide the severity of the disease as well as delay you in seeking that specialist treatment.
And this pyrantel pamoate (Reese’s pinworm medicine) is a common remedy for pinworms.
Take prescription medications
So That’s should be a noted and although many cases of food poisoning is resolve on their own and only a few peoples can be benefit from prescription drugs depending on the pathogen responsible for there illness.
Friends, this can be of benefit to those people who are using prescription drugs and those who are old, immunocompromised or pregnant. And also for those of you pregnant, antibiotic treatment is of great help in preventing an infection from being transmitted to your unborn baby.
Friends, if you are in great need of even these prescription drugs, and that is only your doctor, he can recommend one of these diets only for the following reasons of illness:
A. lumbricoides: Friends tell that these antiparasitic drugs are Albendazole (Albenza) and either this Mebendazole (Enverum)
Campylobacter: and this then the antibiotic and azithromycin (Zithromax)
Cryptosporidium: This is the antiparasitic drug nitazoxanide (Alinia), which is used only for the treatment of diarrhea.
D. latum (fish tapeworm): tell that it is antiparasitic drug praziquantel (Biltricide)
Enterobiasis (pinworms): albendazole (Albenza) and either this one mebendazole (enworm)
G. lamblia: tell that it is nitazoxanide (Alinia)
the antibiotics metronidazole (Flagyl), as well as paromomycin, quinacrine, and either this furazolidone
Tinidazole (Tindamax), which is an antibiotic as well as an antiparasitic drug.
L monocytogenes: friends tell that this antibiotic ampicillin
Opisthorchiidae (liver fluke): praziquantel (Biltricide) and either this albendazole (Albenza)
Paragonimus (Lung Fluke): Friends tell that this is Praziquantel (Biltricide) and either antiparasitic and this medicine is triclabendazole (Agaton)
Shigella: tell whether this antibiotics azithromycin (Zithromax) and either this ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
T. saginata (beef tapeworm): praziquantel (Biltricide) and or albendazole (Albenza), which are off-label treatments for T. saginata.
T. solium (pork tapeworm): These are praziquantel (Biltricide) or albendazole (Albenza), as well as off-label treatments for T. solium.
T. gondii: Let me tell you that this is a combination of antiparasitic drug pyrimethamine (Daraprim) plus an antibiotic such as sulfadiazine
And also this antibiotic spiramycin, and this then as a standalone drug.
Trichinella: Tell that it is Albendazole (Albenza) and either it is Mebendazole (Enworm)
Off-label drug use
Friends, let us tell you that this means the use of off-label drug and that is a drug that has been approved by the Drug Administration (FDA) as well as this food for a purpose only, and That which is used for some other purpose and that which has not been approved yet.
Friends if he is a doctor though, he can still use medicine for that purpose. This is because it controls the testing and approval of FDA drugs, and not only how doctors use drugs to treat their patients. And only that it is your own doctor who can prescribe a medicine, however they think it is best for you to take care of you.
Get an antitoxin
It should be noted that infection with C. botulinum is considered a medical emergency. And seek medical care as soon as possible.
Friends that if you have c. botulinum is the case, and only then this doctor will administer an antitoxin. Babies will receive a special antitoxin called babybig (botulism immune globulin).
Rest
Let us tell you that it is also very important for people suffering from food poisoning to get enough rest.
If your case is serious
Friends, not only in severe cases of poisoning, you may also need hydration with intravenous (IV) fluids in the hospital.
Friends, let us tell you that this is not only in the worst cases of food poisoning, it is not only during your recovery that it may even require a long stay in the hospital. And also this c. People with severe cases of botulinum, and those that are rare, may also need mechanical ventilation.
What to eat and drink when you have food poisoning
Be aware that it is best to wean off solid foods gradually until the diarrhea is accompanied by vomiting. Instead, return to your regular diet by eating simple-to-digest items and either drinking those that are bland as well as low in fat, such as:
- like these saltine crackers
- toast
- like this gelatin
- Bananas
- Rice
- Porridge
- and that soft potato
- steamed vegetables
- chicken broth
- And it’s a non-caffeinated soda, like Ginger Ale and either this root beer
- like this diluted fruit juice
- sports drink
What to avoid?
Tell friends that you should try to avoid the following difficult-to-digest foods to protect your stomach as well as it from getting worse, and even if you do not Think you feel better:
- and so dairy products, especially milk and cheeses.
- fatty food.
- And it’s fried foods.
- highly seasoned foods.
- And So Foods That Are High in Sugar.
And also I like spicy food
Also avoid:
- such as caffeine
- Liquor
- nicotine
- And This So How Is Food Poisoning Diagnosed?
- And this same doctor may be able to diagnose the type of food poisoning based on your symptoms as well.
Friends, in severe cases, blood tests, stool tests, as well as tests on the food you eat can be done to determine what is responsible for food poisoning. it happens. And if you’re dehydrated as a result of food poisoning, you may or may not, and the doctor may also use a urine test to evaluate it.
Risk factors for food poisoning
Tell friends that anyone can come down from food poisoning. And statistically speaking, almost everyone will suffer from food poisoning at least once in their life.
And it is only a few populations that are more at risk than others. This includes:
Immunocompromised people. It should be noted that anyone with a weakened immune system and either this autoimmune disease may be at higher risk of food poisoning infections as well as complications. pregnant people. Explain that pregnant people are more at risk and that is because it is their body during pregnancy itself that they are facing changes in their metabolism as well as in that circulatory system. old adult. Adults 65 years of age or older are also at higher risk of food poisoning. And friends, that’s because their immune system can’t react quickly enough to infectious organisms. And also these little kids. Children under the age of 5 years are also considered an at-risk population because their immune systems are not as developed as adults. Young children are more easily affected by dehydration from the vomiting and accompanying diarrhea.
How to prevent food poisoning?
Keep in mind that the best way to prevent food poisoning is if you handle your food safely and avoid any food that is unsafe.
Let us tell you that due to the production of some food items as well as the way they are prepared, they are also most likely to have this food poisoning in them. In addition, infectious agents that are killed during cooking may also be present in certain foods, such as:
Meat Poultry Eggs Shellfish
It can be said that food poisoning can occur if these foods are eaten in their raw form, not cooked properly, or if the hands and their surfaces are not cleaned after contact Is.
Be aware that these other foods that are likely to cause food poisoning, and they include:
and to state that this is sushi, as well as other fish products and those that are served with raw or undercooked meats, as well as hot dogs and those that are not served with hot or cooked beef, and that they which may contain the meat of many animals, and this is unpasteurized milk, cheese, as well as juice, unripe fruits as well as vegetables.
To try to avoid this food poisoning, you must do these steps:
Always wash your hands before cooking or eating. So That’s make sure your food is a properly sealed and the stored. So Cook meat and eggs thoroughly. Be sure to clean anything that comes in contact with raw products before using them to prepare other foods. Friends, make sure you always wash the fruits and also vegetables before serving them.
Outlook for food poisoning
Let us tell you that it is extremely rare for food poisoning to be life-threatening. And that while having food poisoning is very uncomfortable, and the good news is that most people recover completely within a few days, even without treatment.