Foodborne illness, usually referred to as food poisoning is caused by eating contaminated, spoiled or toxic food. And though it’s quite uncomfortable, food poisoning isn’t unusual; it usually isn’t life threatening but can be uncomfortable while most people recover completely within a few days, even without treatment.
If you have food poisoning, chances are it won’t go undetected as the symptoms can vary depending on the source of the infection. But a case of food poisoning will typically involve a few of these symptoms; abdominal cramps, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, mild fever, weakness and headache
But there are also symptoms of potentially life threatening food poisoning which include: diarrhea that lasts for more than 3 days, fever higher than 102°F (38.9°C), difficulty seeing or speaking as well as symptoms of severe dehydration like dry mouth, little to no urine output difficulty keeping fluids down and bloody urine
The length of time food poisoning takes for symptoms to appear depends on the source of the infection, but it can range from 30 minutes to eight weeks and with or without treatment, most cases will resolve within one week. It can also be caused by improper food handling or leaving foods at improper temperatures
Most food poisoning can be traced to one of three major causes: bacteria, parasites and viruses which has pathogens that can be found on almost all food humans eat though heat from cooking usually kills the pathogens before the food reaches the plate. Foods eaten raw are common sources of food poisoning because they don’t go through the cooking process.
Frequently contaminated foods are meat, eggs, dairy or water. Parasites can live in your digestive tract and may go undetected for years. Pregnant people and those with weakened immune systems are at risk of more serious side effects if certain parasites take up residence in their intestines.
Food poisoning can usually be treated at home by staying hydrated; sports drinks that are high in electrolytes can be helpful as well as fruit juice and coconut water which can restore carbohydrates and help with fatigue.
Avoid caffeine which may irritate your digestive tract. Decaffeinated teas made with soothing herbs like chamomile, peppermint or dandelion may help calm an upset stomach.
Over-the-counter (OTC) medications such as loperamide (Imodium) and Pepto-Bismol can help you manage diarrhea and suppress nausea. However, you should check with a doctor before using these medications because your body uses vomiting and diarrhea to get rid of the toxin.
For pregnant women, antibiotic treatment can help prevent an infection from transmitting to the unborn baby.
You can receive an antitoxin too.
It should be noted that an infection with C. botulinum is considered a medical emergency and should be treated as such.
It’s important to get plenty of rest when you’re recovering from food poisoning.
In severe cases of food poisoning, you may need hydration with intravenous (IV) fluids at a hospital.
It’s best to avoid solid foods until diarrhea and vomiting have passed. Instead, ease back into your regular diet by eating or drinking easy-to-digest foods that are bland and low in fat. Anyone can contract food poisoning. Statistically speaking, nearly everyone will experience food poisoning at least once in their lives. You can take certain steps to prevent food poisoning, such as washing your hands before preparing meals and avoiding raw or undercooked meat, poultry, eggs, and shellfish.
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