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Understanding Food Poisoning
What is food poisoning?
Any food or drink consumed, which contains the pathogenic micro
organism or their toxins or any poisonous chemical can cause a
condition called acute gastroenteritis. In lay man’s terms, this
is known as food poisoning. This is a common phenomenon seen in
hostels, hotels, communal or festive feasts. Usually the entire
group of people who have had the same food would show up similar
symptoms within a few hours of consumption of the toxic food or
drink.
What are the different types of food poisoning?
Food poisoning can be of two types: bacterial and non bacterial.
The bacterial food poisoning is the most common.
1) Bacterial food poisoning:
Caused by micro-organisms called bacteria, the food or drink would
contain either the bacteria or their toxins.
2) Non bacterial food poisoning:
This type of food poisoning is caused by harmful chemicals
contained in the food or drink like fertilizers, insecticides,
heavy metals, etc.
Bacterial food poisoning being the most common, this is discussed
in more detail below:
First of all it is important to understand that all bacteria can
not cause harm. There are only a few bacteria which result in
toxic reactions which can cause grievous harm to the body. These
can enter our body through food or drinks.
How does food poisoning occur?
There are several ways by which food poisoning can take place.
Some of them are:
Drinking contaminated water.
Eating food which has been made with adulterated or contaminated
raw materials.
Eating food prepared in a dirty environment which could have
contained micro organisms or their toxins.
Eating food cooked by personnel who are suffering from some
infectious diseases.
Food affected by animal poisoning from rats, dogs, etc.
Food kept in room temperature for a long duration of time and then
reheated can result in food poisoning.
Some one deliberately adding some toxin or poison in the food.
Which are the common bacteria which cause food poisoning?
1) Salmonella food poisoning:
Salmonella typhimurium, salmonella cholera suis and salmonella
enteritis are the three common types of salmonella bacteria which
are found in milk, milk products and eggs. Nausea, vomiting, fever
and diarrhea are some of the symptoms of food poisoning caused by
these bacteria.
2) Botulism:
Caused by clostridium botulinum, this is one of the most serious
types of food poisoning. You can see the spores of these organisms
in the soil. They usually enter the body through pickles, canned
and preserved fish, etc. While vomiting and diarrhea are rare in
food poisoning caused by these bacteria, the nervous system is
seriously affected. What starts with double vision, numbness and
tiredness, can end up with paralysis with cardiac and respiratory
system failure, resulting in death.
3) Staphylococcal food poisoning:
Caused by bacteria called staphylo coccus aureus, the food
poisoning would result usually in skin eruptions like boils, etc.
The bacteria enter the body through milk or milk products and
causes gastroenteritis. Vomiting, abdominal cramps with diarrhea
are the usual symptoms.
4) Closteridium food poisoning:
Stool, soil and water may contain a type of bacteria called
closteridium perfringens, which enter the body through the
consumption of meat, meat dishes and egg. This type of food
poisoning occurs when cooked food is kept at room temperature for
a long time and then re-heated. Vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal
cramps are the typical symptoms.
5) Bacillus cereus:
This infection is caused by spores of these organisms which can
withstand cooking. They result in enteritis the symptoms of which
are diarrhea and vomiting.
How can food poisoning be investigated?
Every person affected should be examined.
Water sample to be examined.
Kitchen and food samples should be examined.
Cook and all those who handled the food must be thoroughly
questioned and investigated.
Stool and vomit samples should be tested for identification of the
bacteria.
How to prevent food poisoning?
1) Drink only filtered and purified water.
2) Strict hygienic procedures to be followed by all those who are
handling food.
3) Masks, caps and gloves must be used while cooking and serving.
4) Food should never be handled by any sick or ill individual.
5) Kitchen premises should be kept neat and clean.
5) Cooking and serving vessels should be washed with soap and hot
water.
6) Cooked food should never be kept in room temperature for a long
time
7) Store all food in closed containers.
8) Dogs, cats and rats should be barred from coming in contact
with food items.
9) Use only washed vegetables for cooking.
10) Eat fresh meat, bought from a recognized slaughter house.
Original Article
Source:
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