Food Poisoning
Food Poisoning
Food Poisoning is illness which is caused by the intake of food contaminated with bacteria. It results in in severe diarrhea and dehydration. It is popularly known as the gastroenteritis.
Causes:
The main causes of food poisoning are:
- Intake of food which is contaminated with bacteria and viruses.
- By taking food contaminated with natural toxins in plants and animals, such as mushrooms and shellfish; or harmful chemicals such as insecticides and heavy metals.
- By using unhygienic and dirty water
- By using rotten food.
Bacteria’s causing Food Poisoning
The major bacteria’s which cause food poisoning are as under:
- Staphylococcus
- E.Coli
- Clostridium botulinum
Symptoms:
The symptoms of food borne illness develop within a period of several hours to two days after eating contaminated food and usually include nausea, abdominal pain, stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhea-Dehydration may develop, which leads to thirst, dizziness and fainting.
Treatment:
The treatment of food poisoning is to stop all solid –food intake, and to concentrate instead of fluid intake to prevent dehydration. In babies, feeds of boiled water are given instead of milk. Breast fed babies are less likely to get gastroenteritis