Food Poisoning

It is the rare person who is not affected by some sort of food poisoning in their lives. It is a common, usually mild but occasionally deadly condition. Food poisoning occurs when someone eats food or drink that is contaminated with bacteria or its toxins. Toxins from chemicals and pesticides can also cause food poisoning.

You may get food poisoning:

By eating food prepared by someone who did not wash food or their hands properly before and while preparing food,
From eating food that is not properly cooked thus not destroying all the bacteria.

Food poisoning is caused by bacteria by there huge numbers. When present in food, bacteria can multiply very quickly. As they multiply, they produce toxins. The toxins produced as well as the number of bacteria can cause food poisoning.

The most common bacteria that cause food poisoning are campylobacter, salmonella, listeria and bacillus cereus.

Symptoms of Food Poisoning

Depending on the source of food poisoning bacteria, the incubation period may last from 30 minutes to a week as is the case with campylobacter. Food poisoning usually lasts for one to three days and longer depending on the severity and the type of bacteria.

Depending on the source, some of the symptoms of food poisoning will include:

• Fever and chills,
• Vomiting,
• Abdominal pain,
• Diarrhea,
• Bloody stool,
• Muscle aches,
• Weakness and exhaustion, and
• Dehydration

If left unchecked and in very serious cases, food poisoning can cause damage to the nervous system, paralysis or death.

Food Poisoning Treatment

Most food poisoning cases clear up in a few days without the need of a physician. Miracles for Men however recommend medical attention if:

1. There is blood in the stool,
2. diarrhea contains yellowish or greenish mucus,
3. the person affected is elderly, a baby, pregnant or of ill health, or
4. the illness lasts for more than a few days and worsening condition

With certain types of bacteria, you may need antibiotics to fight the condition.

Food Poisoning Prevention

Good hygiene is the best way to avoid food poisoning. You can also:

• Keep raw meat and fish covered and at the bottom of the fridge,
• Use different chopping boards for meat and vegetables and ready to eat food,
• Immediately put cold food in the fridge or freezer as soon as possible,
• Wash your hands after using the bathroom,
• Throw away food past its sell by date,
• Thaw and cook food thoroughly to kill any harmful bacteria,
• Not allow raw meat juices to come into contact with other food
• Clean knives and other utensils before and after use

In short, keep your food very clean and thoroughly cooked.

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