What is Food Poisoning? Emergency Care for Food Poisoning

Food Poisoning Causes:

• Foods that are prepared unhygienically at restaurants or even at home.
• Prepared by someone who does not wash their hands properly.
• Cooking utensils, cutting boards, and other tools used are not fully clean.
• Frozen foods are not stored at the right temperature or are not reheated properly.
• Raw meat or fish.
• Fruits or vegetables that have not been cleaned properly.
• Unpasteurized dairy products.
• Undercooked meats or eggs.
• Unclean water from the river, well, or tap water that has not been treated.

Bacteria or germs that can cause food poisoning:

• E.coli enteritis
• Campylobacter enteritis
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Salmonella
• Shigella

Food Poisoning Symptoms:

Symptoms generally begin to appear within a couple of hours after having the contaminated food. The time period may vary, depending on the cause. The common symptoms include:

• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Nausea and vomiting
• Weakness or fatigue
• Dehydration
• Fever, chills

Who are at Risk?

• Anyone eating contaminated food can be affected by it.
• The very young and the very old are at the greatest risk for food poisoning.
• People suffering from kidney disease or diabetes.
• People with poor immunity levels.
• Pregnant and breastfeeding women should be extra careful to avoid food poisoning.

Food Poisoning Diagnosis:

Food Poisoning Treatment:

If you have an adequate amount of fluids and rest, you would recover within a couple of days.

Oral Rehydration Mixture:

Make your own oral rehydration mixture by mixing a half-teaspoon of salt and 4 tablespoons of sugar in one liter of water. Make sure that the water is safe.

When to See a Doctor:

Contact the doctor immediately, if you have:

• Bloody diarrhea
• Reduced urine output or highly colored urine
• Sunken eyes
• Dry skin
• Altered mental status
• Extreme weakness
• High fever
• You are not being able to take fluids orally