Food Poisoning: What You Need to know

It is possible that classic Nollywood has made you believe that food poisoning is all about eating food containing harmful chemicals. This illustration is not wrong. However, food poisoning is much more simpler and commoner than eating belladonna — or cyanide-containing foods.

So what is food poisoning?

Food poisoning is also known as foodborne illness and refers to sickness that is directly caused by eating food that has been contaminated, spoilt or containing toxic substances. Food poisoning is so common that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised alarm that 1 out of every 10 people in the world suffer from it.

What causes of food poisoning?

Food poisoning occurs when your food becomes contaminated with germs or other harmful entities. Essentially, it can be caused by any of the following:

• Bacteria: such as Escherichia coli (commonly known as E coli), staphylococcus aureus, salmonella, shigella, bacillus aureus and many others.
• Viruses, commonly Rotavirus and Norovirus
• Intestinal parasites such as Giardia lamblia and tapeworm
• Toxins (commonly called poisons)
• Fungi, especially those that produce toxins.

How can your food get contaminated?

Many of the contaminants listed above can easily find their ways into food under any of the following conditions:

• Poor hygiene while handling food: this can be in form of inadequate handwashing practices and disinfection of surfaces and utensils.
• Not cooking properly: this relates to all foods but is particularly important in high-risk foods such as meat, dairy products, and seafoods.
• Inadequate refrigeration (refrigeration at temperatures higher than  4.5⁰C)
• Handling of food by sick person. 

Symptoms

Depending on the cause, symptoms may set in almost immediately after  eating contaminated food or take up to a week. The common symptoms are:

• Stomach pain
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Fever
• Headache
• Blood or mucous in stool
• Weakness

Treatment

Most cases of food poisoning are mild. Symptoms would normally improve with adequate rest and fluid intake. 

So when should you see a doctor?

You should see a doctor when you notice any of the following:

• Diarrhoea lasting for more than three days
• changes in behaviour
• Excessive vomiting
• Symptoms of nervous system impairment such as blurry vision and tingling of skin, and
• Symptoms of dehydration such as dry mouth, excessive thirst, passing of little or no urine, weakness and others.

Because children are at a higher risk of dehydration compared to adults, it is important to note that they should be taken to the hospital as soon as possible if they are noticed to be vomiting and passing loose stool.

Preventing food poisoning.

You can prevent foodborne illness by:

• Ensuring proper hygiene while handling food
• Cooking your foods well
• Proper refrigeration of foods (below 4.5⁰C)
• Ensuring that children are fully vaccinated. This is because vaccines offer protection against some of the causes of food poisoning, for example, Rotavirus.

From HealthFacts to you.

Food poisoning is common, but easy to prevent. Wash your hands, keep your cooking environment clean and store your foods well. This way, you get to enjoy your meals without any trouble.

Until next time, stay healthy.