Everything You Should Know About Food Poisoning
Summer, the hottest season of all seasons, is also the season of food poisoning. Every year many patients get affected by food poisoning and experience its symptoms.
Food poisoning is caused by bacteria in contaminated or infected food. In extremely hot temperatures, the bacteria grow faster, and thus; the illness affects more people.
Here’s an informative blog on food poisoning causes and how you can avoid it in summers.
What is Food Poisoning?
Food Poisoning is a common illness that results after consuming infected, spoiled, or toxic food. Bacteria, viruses, and parasites like E.coli, salmonella, or norovirus present in food items can result in complications.
When these outside bacteria enter our stomach, they fight with the bacteria present in our gut. As a result, our body produces diarrhoea and vomit to throw those bacteria out of the body.
Now, when this happens, it causes some symptoms.
Food Poisoning symptoms include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Weakness
- Loose motions
- Blood in stools
- Fever
- Abdominal cramps
If you notice such symptoms, contact our experts for free at 88569-88569 and get an instant food poisoning treatment.
Causes of Food Poisoning
Bacteria, viruses or parasites present in infected food can cause foodborne illnesses. Mostly, most bacteria and viruses die during the cooking process. Other times, raw food contains bacteria that can cause illness in most people.
Apart from raw food, food items like dairy products, eggs, meat, etc., get easily contaminated and cause food poisoning. Moreover, if someone doesn’t maintain hygiene while preparing, cooking, and serving food, food is highly likely to get contaminated.
You can read another blog: 6 Helpful Tips and Home Remedies for Acid Reflux
Prevention of Food Poisoning
With proper preventive measures, you can avoid foodborne illnesses. Here are some ways:
1. Cook your food properly: It is crucial to prepare and cook food properly before serving it. While cooking, the bacteria present in the food die and doesn’t affect you. Whereas raw and undercooked food contains bacteria that can cause food poisoning.
Another way to avoid consuming contaminated food is to separate cooked and raw food items. Always check by inserting a knife if food items like meat are adequately cooked.
2. Properly wash raw fruits and vegetables: Raw fruits and vegetables can carry dangerous germs that result in foodborne illness. Even if you peel the outer layer, you should still wash the raw fruits and vegetables before eating them.
To remove the bacteria and viruses, wash them under running water and eat them afterward.
3. Avoid outside food: There are high chances of contamination in food prepared outside the house. Home-cooked food is fresh and is prepared with all hygiene. However, food from street vendors is often prepared in unhygienic spaces and might get bacteria and viruses.
4. Wash your hands and maintain hygiene: The best way to maintain hygiene is to regularly clean the cooking area and utensils. Moreover, wash your hands before and after handling food to maintain hygiene properly.
Always clean the cooking area before and after cooking food to remove the bacteria.
When to see a doctor for food poisoning?
Most food poisoning cases can be managed at home with proper care and medication. However, in severe cases, you might require to see an expert immediately.
Contact a doctor immediately if:
- You are pregnant or a new mother.
- You are 60 years old or above.
- You have any pre-existing health conditions.
- Your symptoms don’t get better after a few days of at-home treatment.
- Your symptoms become severe.
Here’s another blog on diarrhea: Can Stress Cause Diarrhea?
Food Poisoning Treatments
Most food poisoning cases can be treated at home. Here are some tips for managing its symptoms:
- Medications: Talk to your doctor for a food poisoning medication prescription. Medicines like loperamide and Pepto-Bismol help manage diarrhea and nausea.
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water, coconut water and fruit juices to stay hydrated. Avoid caffeine during food poisoning as it irritates your gut.
- Take rest: If you have food poisoning, take plenty of rest during the treatment to see better results.
Apart from these food poisoning treatments, your doctor will follow a treatment plan based on your case, symptoms, etc.
Conclusion
The bacteria, viruses and parasites become the most active during summers. It is vital to maintain hygiene during such times while cooking and eating food. If you eat contaminated food, you might get affected by food poisoning and face its symptoms.
Most food poisoning cases can be managed at home, but consult a doctor at the earliest if you feel you are not getting better. Stay safe, stay healthy!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Food Poisoning
1. How long does food poisoning last?
In most cases, food poisoning gets managed on its own in 2-3 days. However, if the condition is severe, it can take a few days more to
2. What are the six signs of food poisoning?
The most common symptoms of food poisoning include:
- Nausea
- Upset stomach
- Vomiting
- Stomach cramps
- Diarrhea
- Fever
3. What are the four types of food poisoning?
There are more than 250 plus microorganisms that cause food poisoning. However, the four common ones include e. Coli, salmonella, listeria, and norovirus. These bacteria fight with the bacteria present in your gut and cause complications.
4. What are some home remedies for food poisoning?
With some small steps, you can treat food poisoning at home. For this, drink juices and electrolytes to stay hydrated. Don’t forget to take prescribed medications and take plenty of rest. Moreover, you can eat food items like honey, ginger, garlic, bananas, etc., to ease your symptoms and boost immunity.
Ujala Cygnus Healthcare Group has 16 hospitals. Kanpur, Rewari, Kashipur, Varanasi, Sonepat, Panipat, Kurukshetra, Nangloi in Delhi, Rama Vihar in Delhi, Kaithal, Bahadurgarh, Karnal, Moradabad, Haldwani, and Agra.
You can book an appointment at your nearest Ujala Cygnus Hospital for any health issue treatment. For any query, you can give a missed call on 88569-88569 and get a free consultation over the phone.