10 signs and symptoms of food poisoning

Food poisoning, also called food-borne illness, is a broad term that includes a range of infections as a consequence of eating contaminated, spoiled, or toxic food. Unfortunately it's a very common problem, and according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) one in six Americans will contract some form of food poisoning every year. The symptoms and their severity may vary widely depending on the agent that is causing the problem (whether bacteria, virus, or parasite), and the immune system's capacity to fight the infection. However, it is important to know that despite the wide range of causes, the patient presents the following symptoms in most cases of food poisoning: 1 Vomiting. This is a symptom may start as early as 1 hour after eating the poisoned food. It also indicates stomach disease and it helps to eject the poisoned food out of the body. During vomiting, different involuntary spasmodic movements occur in the gastrointestinal tract, which induces the output of the stomach contents. If the patient has uncontrolled vomiting and the inability to keep liquids down, it is very important to consult a doctor. 2 Diarrhea. This symptom is also very common and it is not exclusive of food poisoning; however, some characteristics of the feces can indicate the possible causal agent (bacteria, virus or parasite). For example, the presence of blood in the feces may indicate an infection by Shigella, Salmonella, or Entamoeba histolytica, while the presence of mucus in the feces may indicate the intolerance to certain kind of food. Likewise, some viruses (like Rotavirus), usually cause explosive, fetid or watery diarrhea. Many experts recommend performing a stool test when food poisoning is suspected (especially if the patient has more than 3 days with diarrhea) to determine the specific cause of the disease and to be able to treat it properly. More symptoms on next page... 3 Abdominal pain and cramps. This symptom is considered to be the result of the excessive contraction of the smooth muscles in the digestive tract. Although at the beginning of the disease and before proper diagnosis painkillers are contraindicated, in the advanced phases of the disease some antispasmodics may be indicated if needed. This symptom can be both a cause and a consequence of vomiting and diarrhea. 4 Nausea. This is a very common symptom that usually means sickness in the stomach. This is one of the first symptoms to appear and, in most cases, is accompanied by a repulsive sensation for the food and the impulse to vomit. 5 Fever and chills. The patient usually has a mild or moderate fever; however, it is not a constant symptom because it can be caused by some bacteria and viruses, but it is less common in parasitic infections. The fever is produced by the immune system reaction to the toxin or pathogen, which tries to counteract their negative effects on the organism. When the temperature is higher than 38.6 °C or 101.5 °F, it is important to visit a doctor. 6 Dehydration. When a person has uncontrolled vomiting and diarrhea and does not adequately replenish all the lost fluids, they may dehydrate. Therefore, it is very important they drink plenty of water (even in small sips). Dehydration may be classified as mild, moderate, or severe according to the amount of water missing in the body. In moderate and severe cases, it is necessary to visit a doctor (or emergency) to replenish the amount of liquid that has been lost as quickly as possible. The fever, diarrhea, and vomiting, are important causes of dehydration, so it is very important to watch a person with food poisoning to avoid severe dehydration and its consequences. A dehydrated person will feel other symptoms, like excessive thirst, a dry mouth (thick or foamy saliva), little or no urination, weakness and dizziness. 7 Headaches. This symptom may range from mild to severe and most patients suffer it several times a day or constantly. The patient can usually control the headaches with common painkillers. 8 Botulism. This is the most dangerous kind of food poisoning. It is produced by the Clostridium Botulinum bacteria and can even produce neurological symptoms. In addition to all the symptoms mentioned above, the patient usually suffers from blurred vision, difficulty speaking, muscle weakness (that can affect the diaphragm or respiration muscles) which causes difficulty to swallow and breathe, and in extreme circumstances muscle paralysis (in this case, it occurs from the head down through the body). 9 General malaise, joint & muscle aches. These also are very unspecific and inconstant symptoms which the patient may confuse with those of a cold or other disease. They are usually produced by dehydration; however, some bacteria like Clostridium botulinum can cause muscle aches even when the patient is well hydrated. Experts recommend taking rest to overcome these symptoms. 10 Sweating. This symptom may occur in the presence or absence of fever; in fact, in some cases the person refers a cold sweat accompanied by chills. Overview. If any of these symptoms are present, it is very important to visit a doctor or the emergency services as soon as possible to get relevant treatment to prevent and further complications. To help prevent food poisoning, it's important to take special precautions when eating meat, eggs, and dairy products because they may be contaminated if they are not prepared or stored correctly. Links: Centers for Disease Control (CDC) statistics, Featured photo by Nensuria

4 Nausea

5 Fever and chills

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