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How To Deal With Food Poisoning

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Food poisoning is a severe case that occurs in many parts of the country. Unfortunately, it can also happen when you eat outside the home, making it difficult at times to track down the source and cause. Nevertheless, this can occur when you consume food or water that is contaminated with bacteria, viruses, or parasites.

When you are inflicted with food poisoning after eating at home, negligence will be on your end. However, when you are inflicted after eating out, the restaurant or food establishment, you had dined in can be held liable due to negligence. If the establishment continues to fail in its responsibility in safe and healthy food service, it may be shut down, and the owners can also be detained.

What Causes Food Poisoning And Are You Susceptible?

  • Shigella
  • Salmonella
  • Fish Poisoning
  • Cholera
  • E. Coli Enteritis
  • Campylobacter Enteritis
  • Staphylococcus Aureus

Food poisoning may not seem to be a severe case for many, but some will be at greater risk and may experience painful symptoms. Such people include:

    • Infants and elderly people
    • Pregnant and breastfeeding women
    • Those with weak immune systems
    • Those suffering from serious medical conditions such as diabetes and kidney disease

 

  • Travelers who are constantly exposed to germs causing food poisoning outside of the country

How Food Poisoning Occurs

In certain circumstances, food poisoning can affect an individual only or a group of people who consume contaminated food and drinks. Outside the home, it can occur at cafeterias, restaurants, picnics, social functions and other gatherings wherein another person had prepared the meal. As such, contamination can take place any time during preparation, cooking, and handling, in these ways:

  • The water used to store and ship raw food materials is dirty, i.e. containing animal and even human waste. And when water used to wash utensils, kitchen tools and in cooking are derived from an untreated well or stream.
  • Poultry and other meat types come into contact with bacteria from the intestines of animals being slaughtered or processed.
  • The handling of food materials and its preparation is done carelessly and with proper hygiene.
  • The utensils and other cooking tools used to prepare food are not thoroughly cleaned.
  • Frozen and refrigerated foods are not stored at proper temperatures or are not reheated at the right temperature as well.
  • Raw vegetables, fruits, and seafood are not washed properly.
  • Meat and eggs are undercooked.
  • Dairy products used in meals are left out of the refrigerator for too long before being used.

When you experience these symptoms, you may be suffering from food poisoning:

  • Diarrhea with or without blood or pus
  • High fever
  • Nausea and violent vomiting
  • Abdominal Cramps
  • Headache
  • Dehydration
  • Weakness

Get Tested And Treated

Once you suspect food poisoning, you must get tested. A series of tests may be done, such as blood tests and stool tests to try to determine the type of germs attacking your system. A sigmoidoscopy can also be done where a thin, hollow tube with a light at the tip is inserted in the anus to locate the source of bleeding or infection.

In less severe cases of food poisoning, several medications are prescribed, but the most important is the intake of fluids and maintaining a soft diet. It is necessary in food poisoning cases that patients consume plenty of water to prevent dehydration and consume a soft diet until fully recovered.