food poisoning treatment

 


Introduction

Food poisoning happens when bacteria and viruses infect the gastrointestinal (GI) system, causing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and other symptoms. Food poisoning can be caused by eating contaminated food or drink. The most common causes of food poisoning are found in raw meats and vegetables as well as unpasteurized milk products.

What should you do if you think you have food poisoning?

If you think that you are suffering from food poisoning, it is important to seek medical care. You should check with your doctor first and then call a poison control center.

You can also call 911 or a local hospital if needed.

What are the symptoms of food poisoning?

The symptoms of food poisoning vary from person to person, but they can include:

  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Fever (temperature over 101 degrees Fahrenheit)
  • Nausea, vomiting or abdominal cramps that last for more than two days after the episode of illness.
  • Headache, dizziness and weakness. You may also have chills. These are also common symptoms of food poisoning; however they do not last as long as those in non-food-poisoning cases.

What causes food poisoning?

There are many reasons for food poisoning, and it can come from any number of sources. The most common cause is eating contaminated food. This might be done by:

  • Eating raw eggs or meat that have been left out at room temperature for too long
  • Not cooking your chicken properly (e.g., undercooked)
  • Storing foods improperly

Some common types of food poisoning include the following.

  • Bacterial Food Poisoning
  • Viral Food Poisoning
  • Parasitic Food Poisoning (Eating worms)
  • Chemical/Environmental Food Poisoning

Who is most at risk for food poisoning?

  • Pregnant women.
  • People who are immunocompromised. This includes people with cancer, HIV/AIDS and other diseases that weaken their immune systems. If you have had a transplant or have been on chemotherapy in the past year, it's also possible that you could be at risk of food poisoning.
  • People who are elderly or have chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease and kidney failure (among other things). These individuals tend to be more sensitive than healthy adults because they may experience fatigue or weakness due to their condition; this can make them more prone to catching many types of infections on top of being susceptible to food poisoning itself!

How to avoid getting food poisoning.

  • Wash your hands with soap and water before and after handling food, especially raw meat, fish or eggs.
  • Keep cooked foods separate from uncooked foods. Don't use the same spoon for both cooked and uncooked foods.
  • Cook foods thoroughly--if you are preparing a dish that has been sitting on the counter for a few minutes and then reheats it again in your microwave oven or stovetop burner (like lasagna), make sure the entire dish is done so all parts are hot through before serving!

Seek medical care if your symptoms do not improve, if they become severe, or if you notice blood in your stool.

If your symptoms do not improve, if they become severe, or if you notice blood in your stool:

  • Seek medical care. You should also seek medical care if you have a fever, or if you are vomiting more than once every hour.

Conclusion

If you think you have food poisoning, seek medical care. Food poisoning can be life-threatening, and you should not wait until your symptoms get worse to seek help. If you think that your pet may have gotten sick from eating contaminated food, take them to the veterinarian immediately so they can be treated for illness.

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