About Food Poisoning

Definition

Food Poisoning is defined as any disease of an infectious or toxic nature caused

by the consumption of food or drink. The term is most often used to describe the
illness, usually diarrhoea and/or vomiting caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites.
More than 250 different diseases can cause food poisoning. Very occasionally
poisonings from chemicals may be the cause.

In most cases of food poisoning, the food is contaminated by bacteria, such as

salmonella or Escherichia coli (E. coli), or a virus, such as the norovirus. Infectious
organisms or their toxins can contaminate food at any point of processing or
production. Contamination can also occur at home if food is incorrectly handled or
cooked.

Food poisoning symptoms, which can start within hours of eating contaminated
food, often include nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Most often, food poisoning is mild
and resolves without treatment. But some people need to go to the hospital.
Risk Factors

There are some populations that are more at risk than others. Anyone with a
suppressed immune system or an auto-immune disease may have a greater risk
of infection and a greater risk of complications resulting from food poisoning.
Pregnant women are more at risk because their bodies are coping with changes
to their metabolism and circulatory system during pregnancy. Elderly individuals
also face a greater risk of contracting food poisoning because their immune
systems may not respond quickly to infectious organisms. Children are also
considered an at-risk population because their immune systems aren’t as
developed as adults.

Causes of Food Poisoning

Most food poisoning can be traced to one of the following three major causes:

Bacteria: Bacteria are by far the most prevalent cause of food poisoning. When
thinking of dangerous bacteria, names like E. coli, listeria and salmonella come to
mind for good reason. Campylobacter and C. botulinum (botulism) are two lesser
known and potentially lethal bacteria that can lurk in our food.

Parasites: Food poisoning caused by parasites is not as common as food

poisoning caused by bacteria, but parasites spread through food are still very
dangerous. Toxoplasma is the most often seen parasite in cases of food poisoning.
It’s typically found in cat litter boxes. Parasites can live in your digestive tract
undetected for years. However, those with weakened immune systems and
pregnant women risk serious side effects if parasites take up residence in their
intestines.

Viruses: Food poisoning can also be caused by a virus. The Norovirus, also
known as the Norwalk virus, causes over 19 million cases of food poisoning each
year, and in rare cases, it can be fatal. Sapovirus, Rotavirus, and Astrovirus bring
on similar symptoms, but they’re less common. Hepatitis A virus is a serious
condition that can be transmitted through food.

Sign and Symptom of Food Poisoning

Food poisoning symptoms vary with the source of contamination. Most types of
food poisoning cause one or more of the following signs and symptoms:

 Feeling sick (nausea)

 Vomiting
 Diarrhoea, which may contain blood or mucus
 Stomach cramps and abdominal (tummy) pain
 A lack of energy and weakness
 Loss of appetite
 A high temperature (fever)
 Aching muscles
 Chills

Signs and symptoms may start within hours after eating the contaminated food, or
they may begin days or even weeks later. Sickness caused by food poisoning
generally lasts from a few hours to several days.
Diagnosed and Treatment for Food Poisoning

Doctor may be able to diagnose the type of food poisoning based on patients
symptoms. In severe cases, blood tests, stool tests, and tests on food that they
have eaten may be conducted to determine what is responsible for the food
poisoning. Doctor may also use a urine test to evaluate whether or not an individual
is dehydrated as a result of food poisoning.

Treatment of food poisoning is mainly done with fluids to avoid dehydration,

especially in children and the elderly. Some patients may benefit from medication
to reduce nausea and vomiting. The use of medications like loperamide (Imodium)
to treat diarrhea is often not advised as it may prolong symptoms or cause
additional problems. Antibiotics are not used to treat viral and most bacterial
causes of food poisoning but may be used in certain circumstances.

Severe bacterial infections and pregnant women with listeriosis will get antibiotics;
some other pathogens such as certain parasites may be treated with antiparasitic
medications. Other relatively rare causes of food poisoning may require special
medications.