Food Poisoning Symptoms

What is Food Poisoning
Food poisoning is caused to someone when they eat or drink anything that is contaminated with one or more of the following - bacteria, viruses, chemicals, or toxins. The most common cause is contamination by some bacteria. Out of the many bacteria the most common are Salmonella, Staphylococcus, and E.coli.

Foods Most Likely to Cause Food Poisoning
It is practically impossible to tell the difference between normal and contaminated food. Both will look the same, smell the same, and taste the same. Foodstuffs that are almost always the cause of food poisoning are meat (beef, mutton/lamb, pork etc.), poultry (chicken, duck, wild game etc.), dairy products (unpasteurized milk, cheeses that were not treated properly, etc.), fish, and the deadliest and number one cause of food poisoning - shellfish. Besides these other sources include fresh fruit and vegetables (unwashed and eaten raw), and processed foods that have not been stored at the required temperature.

Places Most Susceptible to Food Poisoning
Home-cooked food and any raw fruits or vegetables eaten at home should not be a cause of worry as long as they have been washed and cooked properly. Even processed tin foods that have been opened are not causes of worry as long as they are kept at the right temperature. What you should be really careful about is food that is eaten at picnics, social gatherings outside the house (could include society gatherings, receptions, congregation gatherings, in general all gatherings that are held outdoors and the food is supplied by a caterer), and school and office cafeterias where the food suppliers are externally hired. The reason why food at these places are more susceptible to food poisoning is the duration of time they are kept in the open without refrigeration, allowing the bacteria and viruses to set in and multiply.

Who is at Maximum Food Poisoning Risk
Food poisoning is something that actually happens very often to most of us, but the level is usually so mild that it goes unnoticed. How many times have you just picked up that fruit and eaten it without getting it thoroughly washed. Along with the fruit, you have ingested ingredients that will food-poison you. But it is so mild that you barely notice any symptoms because the body's defense mechanism has taken good care of it. If this same fruit were eaten by some infant or an elderly person, the severity could be very different. They have got a weaker immune system and even the slightest bacterial contamination could make them sick. Persons who should be very careful of what they eat consist of infants, the elderly, persons with kidney problems, diabetics and persons having weak immune systems. Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers should eat food washed and cooked well, and avoid food that is even slightly doubtful.

What are the Symptoms of Food Poisoning
Food poisoning will usually occur within a few minutes to about 8 hours after you have ingested the culprit food. The symptoms could include one or more of the following.

--Abdominal cramps
--Nausea
--Vomiting
--Sudden and severe diarrhea
--Sudden unexplained fever usually accompanied by some other symptom
--Aching muscles
--Feeling very weak and tired for no apparent reason
--Severe headache

If the food poisoning is caused by a chemical or toxin, the symptoms will show faster than if caused by a bacteria or virus.

Reducing Chances for Food Poisoning
There are ways by which you can make sure that the food your family eats will not cause food poisoning. Following are a few precautions you can take.

--Cook all meat, fish, and poultry products thoroughly.
--After handling raw meat, fish, and poultry, always wash your hands with soap and dry before you touch any other food item. Also make sure to wash all utensils that were used while handling the raw meat.
--Do not cook and keep food without refrigeration for too long. Most preferably cook your food just prior to eating it.
--If collecting mushrooms from the wild yourselves, please make sure you know what mushroom it is. Certain mushrooms look very appetizing and are equally poisonous. Preferably avoid collecting and eating wild mushrooms unless you are an expert in mushrooms. Mushroom poisoning is known to kill over 50% who have consumed the wild and poisonous variety. No need to worry when you buy packaged mushrooms from the supermarket; they are the edible variety and always safe to eat.
--While eating canned food, never open a can that is dented or bulging. Bulging cans are a sure sign of bacteria infestation.
--Never eat food that smells or tastes even slightly unpleasant. It could be the beginning of bacteria infestation.
--While at an unknown place always eat freshly cooked hot food. If eating fruits and vegetables raw, make sure that they are thoroughly washed.
--Be careful while drinking water at unknown places. Drink boiled or bottled water as far as possible.
--Cook shellfish thoroughly. Many prefer eating shellfish that is barely cooked. Even though it is not life-threatening, the after-effects are usually seen pretty soon and is very uncomfortable. This is one of the leading causes of food poisoning.

Whenever food poisoning symptoms show, contact a physician immediately. The cause of the food poisoning could be nullified very soon. Delay in contacting a physician could lead to the spread and increase in the level of poisoning, possibly getting serious and requiring hospitalization.

Prevention is always better than cure. Maintaining proper hygiene and taking proper care while handling food will surely ensure that the cure for food poisoning will never be required.