accidental poisoning
Identify Poison Danger Areas
Poisons can be found in everyday items located in all areas of your home – kitchen, closets, bathrooms, attic, garage, dining room, laundry room, storage areas and basements. To help prevent accidental poisoning, follow these poison prevention tips.
Poison Prevention Tips
- Use child-resistant containers (but remember: child-resistant containers are not completely childproof).
- Keep potentially poisonous products in their original containers (see below for product list).
-Place potentially poisonous products out of reach immediately after use.
- Put DANGEROUS stickers on all poisonous products in and around your home, and teach children what the stickers mean.
- Keep emergency numbers (including the Washington Poison Center) next to your phone.
Potentially Poisonous Products
- Medications (prescription/aspirin/vitamins)
- Disinfectants, deodorants, air fresheners
- All kinds of sprays
- Polishes and cleansing powder
- Fertilizers and weed killers
- Insect and rodent poison; slug bait
- Paint remover and turpentine
- Cosmetics
- Soaps, detergents and shampoo
- Toilet bowl and drain cleaners
- Lye and bleach
- Kerosene and lighter fluids
- Insect repellent
- Mothballs and pesticides
Avoid chemical poisoning- 4 top ways
Chemical poisoning is obviously a very prevalent health hazard we are exposed to on a daily basis. There are a number of ways by which you can assess the onset of and control chemical poisoning. Four effective ways are listed below.
• Know your environment- there can be many reasons for chemical poisoning. Poisons can be swallowed, inhaled or they can even come in contact with the skin. Most of the chemical poisoning cases occur accidentally and take place either in homes or workplaces where use of these chemicals is common place. You need to know your environment and the potential hazards that surround you. You also will have to take a look at the preventive measures that are available to you. If your job involves contact with chemicals, you must know the symptoms of food chemical poisoning so that you will be able to assess the situation quickly and contact a physician when the need arises. Even when someone around you manifests these symptoms, you should not hesitate to call the doctor immediately. Keep all the chemicals out of the reach of children by keeping them in containers. Place them in locked cabinets.
• Read the safety labels of the chemicals- Using chemicals is not easy and you should clearly label all the dangerous chemicals as other people too would be using them. The chemical bottles have instructions to provide information on what to do when a person inhales the chemical or if his skin gets in contact with it. You can also label the chemicals as poisonous if the warning will not be okay. Never transfer the contents of the chemical bottle into some other as it may lead to some kind of confusion. You too should take care of the warnings that have been placed on the containers in order to make sure that you do not get harmed. Do not handle poisonous substances unless it is your job to do so. If you have to do it, make sure you read the safety instructions and follow them as well.
• First aid should be the priority- if you make use of food additives or chemicals at home or in your office, make sure you have a first aid kit in place. This is because when you get exposed to chemicals, the damage delivered is so quick that you would need medical attention immediately. Till the time you reach the doctor, you should take care of the burn yourself. Burning chemicals may need some kind of solvent or chemical shower immediately. You should also have medicines to prevent any damages inflicted by chemicals that are swallowed. Keep antidotes such as charcoal with you in order to treat yourself or the victim immediately.
• Know the long term health hazards- there are some chemicals that do not show the symptoms in a day or two or even months. It is possible that you think of the symptoms to be due to something else. You have to b aware of the symptoms and causes so that you do not have to suffer later on.
Treatment for acute mushroom poisoning
Mushroom food poisoning
Chemical food poisoning is one of the types of food poisoning that is caused by eating animals or plants containing toxins. Some of the food products that can cause chemical food poisoning include mushrooms, sea food and various plants and shrubs. The poison generally takes place after the consumption of poisonous species of plants, mushrooms or contaminated shellfish or fish.
Symptoms of mushroom poisoning
During mushroom food poisoning, abdominal pain and vomiting are two of the most common symptom that can be seen amongst the sufferers. Other symptoms vary on the mushroom type because of which the infection has been caused. In most of the cases, the variety of mushrooms that cause early appearance of symptoms after indigestion are found to be less dangerous as compared to the infections caused by the other mushrooms that show their results later that is generally after five to six hours.
Gastrointestinal symptoms are caused by the mushrooms growing in the lawns cause diarrhoea and vomiting with the symptoms vanishing within twenty four hours. There are some mushrooms that cause damage to brain and hear of the person having infection. The symptoms of the infection caused by these mushrooms begin to show after fifteen to twenty minutes after ingestion and include various symptoms such as hallucinations, enhanced imagination along with euphoria.
There is a wide variety of mushrooms causing harm to the people after ingesting. Though there are some of them that cause infection immediately after ingestion, others tend to show the symptoms after few hours.
Species of mushroom causing chemical poisoning
There are many species of mushrooms that contain poison and are harmful for the person’s health. The poisoning potential may vary amongst the numerous species available. It may also vary amongst the same species, depending upon the time period of growing and also with cooking.
Inocybe and clitocybe are two of the species of mushrooms that have a dangerous substance muscarine that is poisonous and injurious to people’s health. The symptoms are generally shown within a few minutes to two hours after ingestion that may show various symptoms such as cramps in stomach, vomiting, salvation and tearing.
There are some of the varieties of mushrooms that result in gastrointestinal symptoms. The Amanita Phalloides is one of the mushrooms that are responsible for causing 95% of deaths causing because of mushroom food poisoning. By these mushrooms, vomiting and diarrhea are the first symptoms that are shown in the infected person’s body. These symptoms usually begin within six to twenty four hours after ingestion.
In some of the cases, the blood sugar level may also drop dangerously low and the symptoms may last for few days where in some people can also face kidney and liver failure. People with this type of poisoning usually die within a time duration of five to eight days.
Recovery period
Unlike the people having severe symptoms, most of the mushroom food poisoning cases get recovered within 24 hours. But without treatment the person might also have to face death.
Treatment for acute chemical poisoning
For acute chemical poisoning, parents or patient of the affected person must call or consult the local physician as early as possible. The treatment of chemical poisoning depends upon the method through which the chemical was absorbed.
Ipecac syrup for treating acute chemical poisoning
As per the specific kind of ingested poison, ipecac syrup, gastric lavage or activated charcoal can be utilized to cure the illness. For majority of the cases of the chemical poisoning, the patient and doctor rely over ipecac syrup. Syrup of ipecac is considered as the best drug for treating poisoning and generally is most effectual. Ipecac syrup can also be utilized for majority of the ingested poisons. The syrup must not be used when the suspected toxic is a corrosive or strychnine substance (lye or strong acids) or specific prescription drugs like sustained release or antidepressants. As well, it must not be consumed in the patients who are seizing or unconscious.
Charcoal for treating acute chemical poisoning
Activated charcoal also is an effectual treatment for acute ingested chemical poisoning. The best part about it is that it absorbs the poison in a very less span. Along with this, it is non-toxic, might be amassed for a long duration and conveniently can be administered at house. The charcoal works through binding with the toxic or the irritating substances in intestines or stomach. This averts the chemical or toxic drug from spreading all through the body. The chemical or toxic drug as well as the activated charcoal will be emitted in stools devoid of harming the patient’s body.
When both charcoal and ipecac syrup are recommended for treating acute chemical poisoning then ipecac must be given before charcoal. Activated charcoal must be given at an interval of about thirty minutes after ipecac syrup or until and unless vomiting from the syrup stops. Charcoal is generally mixed with the liquid prior to being consumed or else. Charcoal is accessible as 30 g liquid bottles. Also, it is available in 15 g container sizes as well as charcoal’s slurry blended in water or in form of container in which soda pop pr water is included.
Gastric lavage for training acute chemical poisoning
In addition, Gastric lavage might be used for treating acute chemical poisoning. This process id carried out by the medical experts in the emergency rooms. The saline water or the lavage fluids is given by a huge tube in the throats of the patient and contents of the stomach are pumped out. The process is repeated again and again, until the time the medical professional is sure that majority of the toxic substance has been extracted. After that a certain antidote for the activated charcoal or chemical can be given for absorbing the rest.
Treatment for Chronic chemical food poisoning
Chemical food poisoning is becoming one of the major concerns for the society these days. Most of the intentional or accidental poisoning that are taking place are caused because of chemicals. Most cases of chemical food poisoning take place at homes. Small children, toddlers and infants are the ones who are at the highest risk for being prone to the accidental food poisoning.
Chronic chemical food poisoning is the one that takes place at a slow pace and stays for a longer period of time.
Diseases that are caused by chronic food poisoning
There are many diseases and troubles that are caused because of the chronic food poisoning such as cancer, allergies, chronic fatigue, memory loss, behavioral disorders, multiple chemical sensitivity, learning disorders, children birth defects and developmental abnormalities.
Diagnosis
It becomes extremely difficult for the physician to diagnose chronic chemical food poisoning. Lab tests may be conducted for finding out the cause of the chemical food poisoning. In almost all the cases of chemical food poisoning, blood and urine tests are carried out.
Treatment
Most of the people with chronic chemical food poisoning are unable to recover until treatment from a physician is obtained. But there are some cases also where in the recovery process is made quicker with the replacement of electrolytes and other fluids. After the symptoms start appearing, it is considered must for the patient to start the consumption of fluids in large quantities. If the fluids cannot be digested or tolerated by the patient, it is considered best to move the person under medical supervision where the condition can be controlled by providing them intravenous fluids.
Also it is considered wise to get the stomach rid of the toxic substances in the least possible time. Detoxification diet is the best way to get rid of the toxins in the body. Otherwise vomiting can also work the same for the removal of toxins. Also in the severe cases, the doctors might also provide the patient with specific treatment if the name of toxin is known to them.
Prevention
It is essential for the patient and the family members to avoid including contaminated fish in their diet. It is recommended to the pregnant women to avoid the consumption of tuna more than 7oz in a week. It is advisable as the large fishes can have mercury in large amounts that can be damaging for the fetus that is developing inside the mother’s womb.
The use of organic food should be encouraged otherwise it is considered good to remove the toxins before consuming the food. Vegetables and fruits must also be washed properly before eating. This can be done easily with a mild acid such as diluted vinegar to remove all the chemicals that were sustained by the vegetables and fruits.
Acute chemical food poisoning
Food poisoning is currently one of the most common health hazards that we face on a daily basis. The reasons for this vary from improper preservation or handling of food products to a general lack of awareness of how to eat healthy. Food poisoning is a medical condition, which in certain situations will require emergent medical attention and an accurate understanding of the circumstances through which such an incidence occurred. Acute food poisoning generally takes place because of the mishandled food or inappropriate food handling. The symptoms for acute food poisoning are, in most of the cases, manifested within the 48 hours of consumption of the allegedly contaminated or poisoned food product.
Possibilities of food poisoning
Accidental ingestion of various common household food products, which have been contaminated by some reason, is one of the major reasons that account for acute food poisoning. Children under the age of five are mostly affected by this category of acute food poisoning as their immune system would be in the process of development, and they are very susceptible to viral or bacterial infections. Moreover, they cannot make a sound judgment with regards to the kind of food that is healthy for them, so they end up getting infected by ingesting contaminated material.
Though there are numerous other reasons that can be used for determining acute food poisoning, accidental ingestion is one of the major contributors.
Signs and symptoms of acute food poisoning
Acute food poisoning is one of the varieties of chemical food poisoning that is relatively hard to accurately diagnose, as the determining factors for such a diagnosis are too varied. Although symptoms are relatively the same for all types of food poisoning, the symptoms of acute food poisoning are quick to be manifested and are extremely uncomfortable. Some of the most common symptoms that can be seen in the patient include change in the skin colour, unusual behaviour, sweating, headaches, blurred vision, difficulty in breathing, irritation in skin, eyes and throat, nausea, diarrhoea, odour in breath and difficulty in standing straight and walking.
Abdominal pain, nausea and diarrhea are some of the most common symptoms that are seen in every patient suffering from acute food poisoning. Also, vomiting is considered to be one of the very first symptoms that are shown in acute food poisoning. Vomiting occurs frequently that can also be accompanied by blood streaks after a while. Diarrhea is generally shown after abdominal pain and vomiting or nausea. The patient suffering from acute foods poisoning begins to experience frequent watery stools that can also be accompanied by mucus and blood in some severe cases.
Diagnosis if acute food poisoning
At times when there is an outbreak of acute food poisoning, the diagnosis is not at all difficult. The identity of the poison is easily known to the parents whose child has been affected or to the patient. Consulting a physician is the best solution for administering the necessary treatment required. It largely depends upon the amount of the toxic substances present in the body as well as the signs and symptoms shown by the patients.
Treatment for acute food poisoning
Acute food poisoning can be manifested in people with various levels of severity. The levels of severity can differ from patient to patient even if the infection took place at the same time. The mild acute food poisoning cases require medication depending upon the symptoms that are shown whereas the severe cases require immediate treatment as there are chances patients may risk losing their life.
Treatment for Chemical poisoning due to plant toxins
Chemical poisoning is generally caused due to eating a poisonous animal or plant. The poisoning can be a result of poisonous mushroom plants or some contaminated diet. Common symptoms include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea along with paralysis and seizures. Chemical poisoning is diagnosed on the basis of symptoms and by examination of ingested substances. One can reduce the risk of poisoning by avoiding contaminated fish and unfamiliar plants and mushrooms.
Shrub and plant poisoning
A lot of commonly grown plants are poisonous. Potentially fatal and highly toxic plants include poison hemlock, castor beans, water hemlock, jequirity beans, foxglove and oleander. These plant poisoning can be cured with the help of specific antidotes.
Ricin, concentrated poison, is present in castor beans. It was used for assassination attempts in the past. The tough shell of castor seeds should be chewed for releasing the poison. One can die after swallowing Jequirity beans and for children one bean is enough for causing death. Food poisoning from these beans can cause diarrhea and vomiting. If the problem is detected at early stages, doctors make an effort to flush beans out from intestines and stomach before food chemicals get absorbed by the body.
Hemlock poisoning shows symptoms in 15 minutes of consumption. It can cause rapid heart beats, dry mouth, sweating, seizures, muscle weakness and tremors. The water hemlock results in delirium, diarrhea, coma and vomiting.
Treatment of plant poisoning
• One of the ways to treat such poisoning is through detoxification. Intake of this shrub can cause chemical poisoning. These toxins should immediately come out to minimize the damage to a person. The process of detoxification starts with removal of the shrub from his mouth including bark, leaves and juice extracts. The patient should be made to vomit by putting a finger on the throat or by some medicine. Try to make the person throw up only when he is in a conscious state, else it can lead to choking him up.
• It is better to take the plant that has caused poisoning to the hospital. The poison center can determine the type of plant responsible for poisoning and treat the patient accordingly. Cause and the alternative causes of poisoning caused to the person are identified easily by doing so.
• Diarrhea and nausea are the most common symptoms caused by plant poisoning. Drink as much water as you can. Make sure that water is replenished in the body so that victim does not feel dehydrated. After vomiting ceases, victim should consume loads of water. The victim should have small sips than big swallows. Incase the person is finding it difficult to have water, ice cubes should be kept in his mouth.
Food standards should be checked carefully to avoid any kind of poisonous toxins.
Chemical poisoning through seafood
One of the prime reasons for chemical poisoning is consuming damaged shell fish or bony fish.
Types of chemical poisoning caused by bony fish
Ciguatera poisoning
This kind of chemical poisoning takes place after consuming a fish that has its origins from some four hundred species of fish from the tropical reefs of the West Indies, Florida and the Pacific. The poison is generated through dinoflagellates, the microscopic organisms, which the fish consume and accumulates in their flesh. Older, large fish are much more toxic as compared to the younger, smaller ones. The taste of the fish remains unaffected. The present processing methods such as cooking does not destroy the poison. The initial signs include nausea, abdominal cramps, diarrhea and vomiting. Diarrhea may start after the individual consumes the fish and lasts for about 5-13 hours. Later signs might include pins and needles sensation, itchiness, muscle aches, headache, facial pain or reversal feeling of cold and hot. There have been occasions where physicians have provided a cure for the affected individuals by administering intravenous mannitol (the drug, which decreases pressure and swelling), however it is not clear whether this gives any benefit. The World Health Organization does not recommend this method of treatment for fish poisoning.
Tetrodotxin poisoning
Signs caused due to toxin in a sushi delicacy or fugu most, are very much like those caused due to with ciguatera poisoning. This type of fish is found generally in the seas near Japan. Death might result from the paralysis of muscles, which regulate breathing. The poison cannot be destroyed through freezing or cooking.
Scombroid poisoning
After catching fish like tuna, mackerel, skipjack, blue dolphin and bonito, their tissues break down, further generating histamine on a great level. While ingested, histamine results in instant facial flushing. Also, it can cause vomiting, nausea, hives and stomach pain. Symptoms that are greatly mistaken for seafood allergy normally last not more than twenty four hours. The fish might taste bitter or peppery. Not like other fish toxic, this form of poisoning can be avoided through adequately preserving the fish when caught. Antihistamine drugs like ranitidine and diphenhydramine might help.
Chemical poisoning caused by shellfish
This kind of poisoning can take place, especially from June-October on New England and Pacific coasts. Shellfish like clams, mussels, scallops and oysters might ingest specific poisonous dinoflagellates at times when the sea water has a red cast shade known red tide. Dinoflagellates produce a toxin, which attacks nerves like neurotoxins. The saxitoxin that causes paralytic shellfish poison persists even after the food has been cooked. The foremost sign, pins and needles sensation near the mouth, starts 5-20 minutes after consuming. Vomiting, abdominal cramps and nausea develop next along with muscles weakness. Sometimes, the weakness of the muscle progresses to paralysis of the arms and legs.
Microbial poisoning and its types
There are three basic types of food poisoning, namely chemical poisoning, physical contamination and microbial poisoning.
Microbial poisoning: infections vs intoxications
The illness that is caused by any kind of micro-organism is known as microbial food poisoning. They either cause intoxications or infections to one’s body. Micro-organisms can be found all around us, their size ranges from the smallest viruses to the large, complex multi-cellular organisms. The common characteristic in all of them is that, in spite of their size variation, none of these micro-organisms can be seen by the naked eye.
Food-borne infection is caused when invading organisms grow in the host body and cause symptoms of the disease. Salmonella dysentery, tapeworms and hepatitis are some of the examples of such infections and the diseases caused by them.
Food-borne intoxications are the result of consuming poisonous material. If the poisonous material is caused by a microorganism then it is called microbial intoxication. Clostridium botulinum and Staphylococcus aureus are dangerous toxin-producing bacteria. Common types of bacterial poisoning
• Botulism – It is caused by the bacteria named Clostridium botulinum that produces the toxin Botulin. It gets destroyed in high temperatures. Therefore, it can be avoided by heating the food well. A lot of Botulism cases have been witnessed which had been caused by canned foods. A damaged can or the can bulging due to air can be a sign of this kind of bacteria. This food should immediately be discarded.
• E- Coli- It is the common term used for Escherichia coli and is found in the lower intestines. Food affected by this bacterium when consumed can result in food poisoning. It can be destroyed by carefully washing and cooking the food. Washing hands after handling food chemicals can also hinder the transfer of this bacterium.
• Salmonella – It is usually found in poultry and poultry products. Salmonella also has other sources like meat, unpasteurized milk, mayonnaise sauce, sea food and untreated water. To kill this bacterium you need to wash your hands thoroughly after handling infected food. Cooking at high temperatures can prove to be helpful in destroying this microbe. Salmonella has long-term and serious health impacts. It is difficult to get rid of this bacterium once you get infected. So it is better to take necessary action to maintain good food standards and prevent salmonella infection.
• Campylobacter – Campylobacter is generally found in undercooked food, poultry, raw meat, untreated water and unpasteurized milk. It causes food poisoning and is easily transferred to other food sources too. So it is advisable to keep a check on the basic hygiene as well as your diet.
It is better to prevent microbial food poisoning than to look for its treatment afterwards. You do not have to do much; just by taking simple food preservation and handling steps, you will be able to protect yourself from poisonous microbes that cause food poisoning.
Causes for Microbial Poisoning
Microbial food-borne illness commonly takes place throughout the world. Fortunately, a majority of the individuals recover from the episode of food borne illness without of any sort of lasting complications. Handy treatments are accessible for microbial poisoning to ensure that the illnesses don’t get worse.
There are numerous ways of food-borne infection being caused. Chemical or microbial infection, food allergy and the infections related with over-eating are some of the types. Eating food which is contaminated through micro-organisms, like parasites, bacteria or virus, can cause microbial poisoning.
Micro-organisms which cause microbial poisoning
Few of the highly common micro-organisms which cause food poisoning include:
Salmonella
It is one of the prime causes for food-borne infection. There are various kinds of Salmonella such as those which cause gastroenteritis and typhoid fever. Many people are infected by Salmonella after eating undercooked food or due to cross contamination of poultry products or raw meat, or also because of the contamination of the fresh product. A lot of cases of Salmonella microbial food poisoning are reported due to consuming food which has been contaminated by animal feces.
Escherichia coli
Escherichia coli or E. coli is a usual cause of microbial food poisoning as well as traveler’s diarrhea. E. coli infection can take place when the water or food gets contaminates by bacteria from the infected feces.
Hepatitis A virus
The Hepatitis A virus is transmitted in the foods through contamination due to an unhygienic food handler and also from the raw shellfish. The symptoms usually do not appear until 15-50 days after the infection has set in which makes it a bit difficult to discern the infection’s source.
Norovirus
This infection is one of the prime and common causes of food-borne illnesses and is normally acquired when the food being prepared by contaminated food handler gets infected through them (for instance, in restaurants). The Norovirus is extremely infectious and get simply passed on from individual to individual. The symptoms of this micro-organism usually begin 24-48 hours of exposure with feelings of nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Many of the cases, however, get resolved without any medicinal treatment.
Listeria Monocytogenes
It is a bacteria type which is generally found in contaminated or unpasteurized milk and dairy products likesoft cheese, and also in contaminated processed meat, smoked seafood and hot dogs. The gastrointestinal symptoms generally develop in about 24 hours and involve fever, nausea, fever, watery diarrhea, joint and muscle pain and headaches. A more severe infection known as Listeriosis might take place in about 1-3 weeks after the Listeria Monocytogenes bacteria attacks the bloodstream.
Other microorganisms
There are as many as 200 more microbes that cause microbial poisoning. It is essential to wash and treat the food adequately before consumption in order to reduce the probabilities of getting infected.
Bacillus Cereus and two types of microbial poisoning
Bacillus Cereus are micro-organisms found in a variety of food items. They occur naturally and are a cause of food poisoning. The two major types of food poisoning that are caused by these bacteria are diarrheal and emetic. Toxins produced by these bacteria cause food poisoning. Of thousands of cases of microbial poisoning reported each year, this bacterium accounts for only 5% of the total number. Generally, the disease does not last for long and the patient recovers in a day or two. The food items which cause this type of Food poisoning caused due to Bacillus Cereus generally stems from food items like cooked rice or food that is stored at lower or higher temperatures after cooking.
More about bacteria
To know more about this disease, you should have a proper knowledge about the bacteria that causes it and its nature. Bacillus Cereus is a type of bacteria that is known for producing toxins and spores, both of which are harmful for the human body. The growth of the bacterium is the best when the temperature is between 30-37 degrees. Some forms may even grow at 55 degrees and some at as low as 4 degrees. There is a particular ph-range for the growth of all micro-organisms and for Bacillus Cereus it is 4.3 to 9.3.
These bacteria show good growth in the presence of oxygen, although they can also grow without oxygen. The bacteria get killed but the spores can sometimes resist heat. If the bacteria are present in high fat or oily food, the heat resistance is increased. Also, when the foods have low water activity the resistance is increased. The food poisoning by this microbe is of two types. The diarrheal illness is caused in the presence of unstable acid entero toxin. The emetic illness is however caused by another type of toxin that can easily be alive even in the high temperatures and also with extreme ph levels.
Diarrheal poisoning
It is important to know the symptoms of the disease as you must take actions accordingly. When the person has diarrheal poisoning, the body will undergo some changes. Cramps, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea are some of the most common symptoms of this type of food poisoning. The bacteria multiply at a fast rate causing problems to the person who has consumed the food product. They emit toxins as they multiply in the intestine.
Emetic poisoning
Symptoms of emetic poisoning are nausea and vomiting. Some people may also witness diarrhea after these two initial symptoms. In case of this food poisoning the symptoms start occurring one to six hours after the consumption of the food item. If you or anyone in your family has these symptoms, make sure you visit the doctor or a lab and give a fecal specimen to confirm food poisoning of this type.
Microbial food poisoning symptoms and prevention
A rising number of incidents of microbial food poisoning are being witnessed around the world. There is a wide range of bacteria that have the capabilities of causing food poisoning. Staphylococcus is a type of bacteria that has the capability of affecting people. They infect the food at the time of cooking. The bacteria E. coli cause diarrhea in people through consumption of infected food or water. These bacteria salmonella affect chicken, eggs and meat causing salmonellosis.
Symptoms of Food Poisoning
Since there are varied forms of food poisoning to which each person’s body reacts differently, it becomes difficult for the person to determine the food items because of which the infection has been caused. Some of the people might develop various symptoms of microbial food poisoning within half an hour of food consumption while there are others who do not develop any symptoms until a week. The symptoms largely depend upon the bacteria that is causing the infection and also on the person’s body chemistry.
The symptoms of microbial food poisoning also depend upon the time duration for which the person is feeling ill because of the differences among the various types that affects people and also on the fitness and health of the person.
Though there are distinct symptoms of microbial food poisoning, some of the most common symptoms that are seen amongst the affected people vary from nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, stomach pain, dehydration and exhaustion.
These are some of the most common symptoms of microbial food poisoning; however, there are some severe symptoms that can result in paralysis, damage of the nervous system and even deaths if proper diagnosis is not done.
Prevention
Some essential steps are to be taken for preventing microbial food poisoning. It is to be kept in mind that food-borne sicknesses can be caused by all food products. It is essential to wash hands thoroughly as well as clean the utensils and surfaces of food preparation very well before, at the time of and after handling raw foods in order to ensure that recontamination of the cooked food and microbial food poisoning is avoided.
Serving hot food immediately after it is cooked is also one of the ways that can be used for avoiding contamination of food. The temperature of the refrigerator must be kept below 40 degrees so that the growth of bacteria and microbes is avoided; thus lowering the risk of microbial food poisoning.
Infants, pregnant women and aged people or any other person having a weak immunity system are more prone to the food borne sicknesses caused by microbial infection. Food products such as meat, fishes and other seafood in its raw form should be avoided at all costs by these people. Proper preventory measures can ensure the timely prevention of food poisoning due to microbial infection.
Salmonella Food Poisoning
Microbes and food poisoning are interrelated and thousands of cases of food poisoning due to microbes are reported every year in every country. One of the chief types of bacteria that cause food poisoning is Salmonella. The sources of this type of bacteria are food chemicals and poultry items, meat, unprocessed milk and also contaminated water. Sometimes, your pets like birds and even turtles can become the carriers of this type of bacteria. This bacteria cause infection that leads to food poisoning-related diseases.
This type of bacteria attacks directly the intestines and stomach. Some of the cases also see the bacteria entering the lymph tracts. The work of these tracts is to carry protein and water to the blood. They are also carriers of blood which means that this kind of infection can lead to some serious problems for the patient. These bacteria can attack anyone regardless of their age and sex. People who have a weak immune system or are already ill are at a higher risk of getting this infection.
The chief symptoms of this infection are headaches, stomach cramps, fever, blood in feces, nausea with vomiting and diarrhea or constipation. The cases in which the infection is less, the symptoms will also be milder and the patient will be cured of them in four to seven days. Some of the infections do not even require treatments and are cured with the help of consumption of liquids. In the milder cases, the main symptom is only diarrhea.
The more serious cases of salmonella poisoning may lead to excessive diarrhea, other health problems and even stomach cramps. It is seen that in some cases that diarrhea continues for long and is frequent. This leads to loss of essential fluids from the body and the body suffers. When the stomach cramps become intolerable and the patient has fever of 38 degrees or higher, one should not make any delays in calling the doctor and telling him about the situation. It is advised that one should take proper medication only after consulting the doctor.
Signs of jaundice may also appear. The eyes will turn yellow and the body too will appear slightly yellowish. If something like this happens, you should know that there is some problem with the liver or the bile ducts whose work is to carry the bile from the liver to the stomach. You should take immediate curative measures and prepare the food that you eat hygienically while keeping all food standards in mind. Make a point to wash your hands before you consume anything. Make sure that the utensils kept in your kitchen are clean. The more knowledge that you gain about the disease the more it will be helpful to know the steps to take to prevent yourself and your family.
E. coli enteritis - microbial food poisoning
Bacteria are the causes of microbial diseases. Microbes are tiny mico-organisms, invisible to the naked eye, that cause serious illnesses. Microbes like escherichia coli or E. coli are one of the chief causes of millions of people suffering from microbial food poisoning. The disease caused by this particular type of bacteria is named as E. coli enteritis. This disease causes the small intestine to get inflammated. Here is some information about the disease and how it can be prevented and treated.
E. coli enteritis is a type of bacterial gastroenteritis. One can get this disease by drinking contaminated water or eating food that has not been kept covered or has been cooked in unhygienic conditions. If anyone in your family has already been infected by this particular type of food bacteria, you need to take all the precautions to ensure that no other family member gets the disease. Also, if anyone in the family has had severe diarrhea or vomiting, there are chances of some other person contracting the disease. If you travel a lot, make sure that you do not drink untreated water. It is always advisable to drink only bottled mineral water.
It is important for everyone to know the symptoms of the disease. Intestines are the organs affected by this type of bacteria. When the bacteria enter the intestine through food additives, the symptoms will start showing. Bacteria will take almost one to two days to enter the intestine and start showing the symptoms of the disease. Some common symptoms that you will notice are abdominal pain, gas, fever, stomach cramps and loss of appetite. Severe diarrhea may occur and there may be secretion of blood through feces. If the complications increase, consult your doctor.
You should contact the physician to get it treated and undergo the tests that he refers. Your stool will have to be tested so that the disease and the microbe infection can be detected. Most of the cases do not turn complex and it takes one to three days to get cured. Sometimes, no treatment may be required. Sometimes, having electrolyte solutions can help in getting rid of the bacteria, particularly for the cases when the patient feels dehydrated. Some young children are unable to consume fluids; they may need immediate medical attention and the injection of some intravenous fluids to be cured.
Your doctors will advise you on the medicines you are supposed to take. Do not start taking or discontinue the use of any medicines on your own without consulting the physician. Dairy products may increase the infection or stop the bacteria from being killed so avoid consuming them. The diarrhea may get worse if temporary lactose intolerance occurs. Make sure you follow all the precautions to prevent the disease from affecting you and your family by avoiding E. coli infection.
Shigella bacterial food poisoning
Bacterial food poisoning is very common all around the world and millions regularly suffer from it. One of the bacteria that cause food poisoning is Shigella. You must have heard the term “traveler’s diarrhea”. This is a problem results from improper eating while traveling in some other country or state. Contamination of food is one of the major reasons behind this problem. Thousands of cases of people suffering from shigellosis are reported in the United States every year.
Many types of bacteria have become immune to the therapies and courses that the people do to stay away from infections. The anti-biotic therapies have stopped working on some types of bacteria and this leads to more cases of infections. This is due to the fact that some anti-biotic medicines that are used for bacterial purposes were being used for other purposes as well. One should have appropriate information about shigellosis in order to prevent them from this serious disease.
You need to know that shigella can enter your body through food like tuna, potato, macaroni, shrimps and even chicken. Raw vegetables, meat and dairy products can also have the bacteria. The symptoms of shigellosis are abdominal discomfort, cramps, vomiting, blood in stool and diarrhea. Some of the cases that are less severe will last up to 4-8 days when you don’t use antibiotics. The infections that are severe in nature may even last up to 3-6 weeks.
Diarrhea makes you lose essential salts in the body so you need to replenish them. You should, however, not use anti-diarrheal drugs as they will slow down the process of destruction of shigella from a person’s body. The shigella is generally present in the gastrointestinal tract and it causes the illness to stretch up to many more days. The infection can be treated with the help of some home remedies or taking antibiotics. However, it is always better to consult a doctor when you see the symptoms. You should have proper knowledge about the symptoms so that when they occur, you can contact the physician and get proper medical attention. When you take anti-biotics, shigella will get reduced in quantity.
In order to stay away from all types of infections, you will have to make sure that you take all the precautions. Make it a point to wash hands before you have your food and cook the food properly so that all the bacteria that may be present in the raw food get killed. Sanitation and hygiene thus plays an important role in preventing the diseases caused from this microbial poisoning. It is also important to have proper information about the diseases that can potentially cause harm to you. Vaccines can also be taken to prevent their infection in certain stages of development. Vaccines prove to be a good enough remedy against bacteria that do not show any resistance against antibiotics.
Microbial poisoning: Food Spoilage
A highly overlooked fact is that all food items that we eat are of biological origin. Therefore, the basic knowledge of biology is important for the food production, distribution and preparation. In short, we should have the proper knowledge to ensure that our food does not contain any kinds of impurities.
Food spoilage and deterioration
Food gets deteriorated because of the following reasons:
• Growth of the micro-organisms being caused due to surface contamination, especially in the processed diet.
• Action of the enzymes is responsible for food spoilage too. One should make a note of the fact that many fruits and vegetables contain enzymes which get transported into our systems when such fruits are bought and eaten raw. The meat of animals also undergoes slow chemical changes subsequent to slaughter posing enzyme threats.
Food spoilage and deterioration are caused through food poisoning and decay due to different bacteria. As the bacteria grow, enzymes are released in liquid surroundings and they spoil the products in the external digestive system. This is the basic reason for food spoilage and is responsible for lowering the nutritional value. Moulds and bacteria secrete waste products that act as food chemical and poisons, causing definite ill effects.
Growth of fungi and bacteria
One should notice that fungi and bacteria have a great role in recycling the biological waste products of nature and bacteria and other viruses are also responsible for infectious diseases in animals, plants and human beings.
Conditions that encourage growth of these micro-organisms are:
• Suitable temperature
• Organic food (carbohydrates, fats and proteins)
• Air
• Moisture
• Suitable pH levels
Food preservation techniques
Temperature treatments
With every 10°C hike in the temperature, activity of enzymes and micro-organisms is doubled from the range of 0°-60°C. Above this temperature, heat destroys the enzymes and their living cells. The changes are slowed down with decreasing temperatures. In the refrigerator, food decays slowly and can be preserved for a longer period. But this does not kill the bacteria; instead it makes them less active.
Moisture removal
Food is usually preserved by simply drying it in the sun. Water can be added while eating so that it gets rehydrated and if taken dry, the digestive juices of our body moisten it. Sugary and salted foods can also be preserved with the help of similar techniques so that water of the food does not become a breeding ground for bacteria.
Removal of the air
Vacuum packing of certain foods is used for avoiding the breeding of bacteria causing food poisoning. Some of these foods are cheese and bacon.
Alteration of the pH
Pickling and making use of vinegars can lower the pH level ensuring that the enzymes do not exist in the food.
By making use of different food preservation techniques as stated above, you can avoid food spoilage due to microbes.
Symptoms, causes and home remedies for microbial poisoning
Microbial food poisoning can be caused if one eats food that contains toxins or other harmful food chemicals. Two of the most common bacteria that cause food poisoning are E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Food poisoning can take place due to improper handling. The degree of contamination will vary from person to person and depending on the contamination. There are a lot of food products that can cause microbial poisoning when consumed. Some of those products are red meat, poultry, uncooked or semi-cooked vegetables and unpasteurized milk. Contaminated water can also be one of the reasons for this type of poisoning.
Some symptoms of microbial poisoning
Symptoms of microbial food poisoning generally develop depending on the severity of the poisoning. Sometimes the symptoms are so mild that they are hardly noticeable, while at other times they are much more severe. Some microbes react within one hour and some may cause symptoms to show after 24-48 hours. Vomiting, cramps, diarrhea and pains are some of the symptoms that one would see. If the poisoning is very serious chills and fever can also occur.
Causes of microbial poisoning
Some of the common causes for food poisoning are fungi, viruses, bacteria and parasites. Bacteria can multiply easily and this is the reason why they are one of the major causes of such poisoning. Make sure you clean your kitchen regularly to avoid dirt and bacteria from persisting in the vessels. Also, while cooking handle raw food with care and cook it to the maximum temperature to kill the bacteria present in it. If you eat canned food, heat it well before consuming it. This is because food preservation in cans may give rise to bacteria. The harmful effects of bacteria can be stopped by preventing their growth or destroying them.
Home remedies for microbial poisoning
Here are some home remedies for killing the bacteria and preventing their outbreak.
• When you suffer from food additives poisoning avoid eating anything, especially sugary fluids.
• Eating bread is a good option as it absorbs the poison and gives relief.
• To get rid of the symptoms, you can have one-fourth cup of charcoal powder with a glass of water. Continue this till the time you get rid of the symptoms.
• Garlic is very useful in detoxifying the intestine and destroying the bacteria. Having garlic can be a useful method of dealing with food poisoning.
• Rubbing a mixture of garlic oil and soya oil on your stomach will also provide relief.
• As a general rule, you can have a cup of ginger tea after the meals as it is good for digestion and acts against nausea and heartburn.
• If you are allergic to any products, do not consume them as this can cause further damage. These tips will benefit you and you will be able to get relief from food poisoning. If the problem persists, consult your doctor and get proper medication.
Bacteria causing food poisoning
Almost all of the cases of microbial food poisoning are a result of food or water contamination caused by viruses, bacteria and in a few cases by protozoa parasites. Unhealthy conditions can let the bacteria multiply and, if consumed by a person, they can result in microbial food poisoning.
There are some cases of microbial food poisoning in which the infection is not caused by the bacteria or microbes but the toxins released by them in the food that is being consumed.
The problems can be caused by the infectious bacteria which get ingested into the system of an individual. These bacteria can then escalate the problem by getting multiplied in the digestive tract of the human beings. On the other hand, the microbial food poisoning can also be caused due to the toxins that are produced by the bacteria even before the consumption of food.
Most of the food poisoning caused by the microbes generally result in diarrhoea that may be accompanied by vomiting with pain in abdomen. The symptoms that are visible, the speed at which the infection develops and the duration of the illness, all depend largely on the cause and type of the microbial food poisoning.
Main types of bacteria causing microbial poisoning
Staphylococci bacteria
Staphylococci are a type of bacteria that causes many sorts of microbial food poisoning. There are a variety of foods such as eggs, chicken and meat of various sorts that have higher risks of being infected with the staphylococci bacteria. Sandwiches prepared quite some time ago may also carry the risk of this bacteria infection. The Staphylococci bacteria is one of the types that produce toxins which enter the system of the person along with the contaminated food. The symptoms are usually shown within four to five hours after the consumption of food.
Escherichia Coli bacteria
There are certain types of Escherichia Coli bacteria that can contaminate and infect water and meat by the production of toxins. Some types of E. Coli cause severe illness to the infected person due to the dangerous toxin produced by this bacterium. These bacteria can harm the blood cells as well and in some cases they may also lead to kidney damage.
Salmonella bacteria
Most cases of microbial food poisoning take place because of these bacteria. The infection from these generally takes place after the consumption of turkey, chicken or egg that has been previously infected with the Salmonella bacteria. Some of the most common symptoms that are caused by this type of bacteria include vomiting, diarrhea accompanied by blood with feces and mild fever in some of the cases.
Poison proof your home and workplace
Poison of any type can pose risks for your family members and even for the people who work in your company. This is why there is a need to make sure that your home is poison proof. Take a few steps to ensure the safety of your home and workplace.
• Check that all the chemical poisons in your home and workplace are placed in appropriate containers. If you place the chemicals in their original containers, the users will be able to recognize them. If you do not keep them in original containers, make sure their boxes are labeled properly. Chemicals in your home need to be kept away from the children and grandparents in your home.
• Use the food chemical according to the instructions given on the containers. Place them in the indicated places and use all the precautions while utilizing these chemicals. Wear gloves or a mask as a precaution if the chemicals are going to harm you.
• The non-prescription medicines also need to be stored as carefully as the prescription ones. Your children may mistake them for candy and consume them. Also, if the elderly people in your home suffer from memory loss, keep the medicines away from them to avoid over dosage.
• Keep all the medicines in a cabinet and keep it locked so that the children do not have access to it. When someone visits your home, keep their purses and bags out of the reach of your children. Keep the cabinets locked.
• It is known that most of the chemical poisoning accidents occur when the product is being used. If you are making use of a food additive and you need to answer a call or open the door, take your child with you. While in the workplace, take all precautions to do the work. When you leave a place after doing your work, keep the chemicals in place.
• While in home, replace the food preservation chemicals to their original place.
• If you have a garden or backyard, you need to have ample knowledge about the plants that can be poisonous. If you have any deadly plants in your home, make sure that you keep them away from pets and educate your children on how to distinguish poisonous plants.
• It is important for you to teach your children about different poisonous substances and food standards. Also make them learn the fact that they can call up the emergency numbers in the unlikely scenario of an accident.
• Learn the simple facts about chemical mixings and interactions. Some chemicals may not be harmful alone but when mixed with others, they may react furiously. Some of them can even turn explosive and give rise to fumes that may be dangerous to your health.
• When some aerial application of insecticides is being done, keep yourself and your children away from it.
These small steps can prove to be beneficial in poison proofing your home and protecting the children and elderly in your home from chemical poisoning.
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