Food Poisoning

Food Poisoning

Many different disease-causing germs can contaminate foods, so there are many different foodborne infections.
Researchers have identified more than 250 foodborne diseases.
Most of them are infections, caused by a variety of bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
Harmful toxins and chemicals also can contaminate foods and cause foodborne illness.

Symptoms
The most common symptoms of food poisoning are:
Upset stomach
Stomach cramps
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Fever

Prevention
Wash your hand and surfaces often
When grocery shopping, keep raw meat, poultry, seafood, and their juices away from other foods.
Food is safely cooked when the internal temperature gets high enough to kill germs
Keep your refrigerator below 40°F


Treatment
Treatment for food poisoning typically depends on the source of the illness, if known, and the severity of your symptoms. For most people, the illness resolves without treatment within a few days, though some types of food poisoning may last longer.

Treatment of food poisoning may include:
Replacement of lost fluids. Fluids and electrolytes — minerals such as sodium, potassium and calcium that maintain the balance of fluids in your body — lost to persistent diarrhea need to be replaced. Some children and adults with persistent diarrhea or vomiting may need hospitalization, where they can receive salts and fluids through a vein (intravenously), to prevent or treat dehydration.

Antibiotics. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics if you have certain kinds of bacterial food poisoning and your symptoms are severe. Food poisoning caused by listeria needs to be treated with intravenous antibiotics during hospitalization. The sooner treatment begins, the better. During pregnancy, prompt antibiotic treatment may help keep the infection from affecting the baby.
Antibiotics will not help food poisoning caused by viruses. Antibiotics may actually worsen symptoms in certain kinds of viral or bacterial food poisoning. Talk to your doctor about your options.