WHAT IS FOOD POISONING?

Food poisoning is an acute gastroenteritis caused by the consumption of a food material or a drink which contains the pathogenic micro organism or their toxins or poisonous chemicals.

Food poisoning is common in hostels, hotels, communal feedings, and festive seasons. To put it more simply, it's the eating of food that has gone off, it's expiry time has long gone. A group of people will be affected with same type of symptoms ,and they often give a history of the consumption of a common food a few hours before they began to show symptoms.So, what are some types of food poisoning?

The most common is bacterial food poisoning:

In this type of food poisoning the micro organisms called bacteria are responsible. The food material may contain the pathogenic bacteriae or their toxin and will be ingested along with the food. For these bacteria to be present there must be ideal conditions for their existence. Food not kept at the correct temperature allows such conditions for bacteria to multiply.

Another form of food poisoning is non bacterial food poisoning:

This one occurs because of the presence of toxic chemicals like fertilizers, insecticides, heavy metals etc.

Since bacterial food poisoning is the more common it is discussed here.

Bacterial food poisoning: All bacteria are not harmful, many are helpful to the human body. There are some pathogenic bacteria which secrete toxins and cause clinical manifestations. These organisms enter the human body through food chain, normally totally undetected.

How food poisoning occurs:

Presence of bacteria in the water used for cooking purposes and for drinking. The raw materials for the food may contain toxins. Premises where the food is prepared may contain micro organisms or toxins. Food handlers may have some infectious diseases easily passed on if they do not adhere to health precautions Some animals like cats, dogs and rats may contaminate the food. If prepared food is kept in the room temperature for a long time and heated again can create conditions ideal for food poisoning bacteria. On purpose actions by some body mixing toxins in the food.

What are some common bacterial food poisonings?

Salmonella food poisoning: There are some three different varieties of salmonella bacteria.(salmonella typhimurium,salmonella cholera suis,salmonella enteritidis) These bacteria are present in milk, milk products and eggs. Symptoms of this type of food poisoning include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Fever is also quite common.

Botulism: This is possibly the dangerous type of food poisoning caused by clostridium botulinum. The spores of these organisms are seen in the soil and enter the human body through pickles and canned fish etc. Compared to other food poisonings here vomiting and diarrhea are rare It is mainly the nervous system that is affected. The symptoms starts with double vision, numbness with weakness. Later there will be paralysis with cardiac and respiratory failure resulting in death.

Staphylococcal food poisoning: It is caused by staphylo coccus aureus. These organisms usually cause skin troubles like boils and eruptions. It causes mastitis in cow. Through the milk and resulting milk products it enders and causes gastroenteritis. The symptoms of this poisoning are vomiting, abdominal cramps with diarrhea.

Closteridium food poisoning: This is caused by closteridium perfringens. They are present in stool,soil and water. They enter the body through, meat, meat dishes and egg etc. If food products are cooked and kept in room temperature for a long time and heated again before eating the action can result this particular food poisoning. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramps.

Bacillus cereus: The spores of these organisms can survive cooking temperatures and once in the body cause enteritis. Diarrhea and vomiting is common in this infection.

How to investigate food poisoning?

When an outbreak of food poisoning occurs, the normal action is to examine each and every person affected. Water samples should be tested. Kitchens, store rooms and food samples should be examined. The chef and food handlers should be questioned and examined. Samples of vomitus and stool of all victims should be tested to identify the bacteria and then it's possible source.

Can we prevent food poisoning?

We can take precautions to help prevent food poisoning and some of these may be, only purified water should be used when cooking. Workers should use masks, cap and gloves during cooking and serving. Maintaining good quality hygiene by all persons keeping contact with food.

Sick individuals should not be allowed to come in contact with food materials, or better still not be allowed to come to work. Kitchen and premises should be neat and clean. Vessels should be washed with soap and hot water. Staff should not keep the prepared food for a long time in room temperature.

All food materials should be kept in closed containers. Vegetables should be washed before cooking. Meat should be fresh and should be purchased from recognized slaughter house. Animals like dogs, cats, rats etc should not come in contact with food materials.

In many countries today there are health standards that must be adhered to and if this is done then many of the cases of food poisoning we hear about would be reduced, if not almost totally wiped out.

Anthony T West - About the Author: Thomas has been writing articles on many subjects for almost 3 years. Not only does the author specialize in many subjects including health and diet, you can also check out his latest website on controlling dogs using martingale dog collars which reviews their use and sizing.