Symptoms of food poisoning are manifested in the form of fever, vomiting, diarrhea, chills, weakness. Food poisoning is an illness caused by consuming food or drink containing harmful bacteria, viruses or parasites. Millions of people experience this every year.
Many foods contain potentially harmful organisms. However, these usually disappear during cooking. But if you touch other foods after handling raw meat without washing your hands, or if you store meat in the refrigerator rather than in the freezer, these organisms can even infect cooked foods. As a result, it can make you sick.
Consuming foods containing toxic toxins causes food poisoning. These toxins occur naturally in some foods. It is produced by some types of fungi and bacteria when food spoils.
Because there are various organisms that cause this condition, the symptoms of food poisoning vary depending on which organism you are poisoning. The symptoms of food poisoning appear in a period ranging from a few hours to a few days from the time the poisoning starts. This makes it difficult to detect foods that cause poisoning.
food poisoning symptoms
Some foods carry more risk than others. We will talk about these foods later in our article. In our article, we will tell you everything you need to know about food poisoning.
What is food poisoning?
Food poisoning occurs when poisonous organisms contaminated with bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses enter the body. Sometimes the side effects of these organisms that cause poisoning also cause discomfort.
When something poisonous enters the body, the body reacts with symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, fever to flush out the toxins. These symptoms usually last for a day or two.
Who is at risk of food poisoning?
Those with a weak immune system react more seriously to poisoning. People at high risk of food poisoning include:
Children under the age of 5 have underdeveloped immune systems. In addition, after the age of 65, the immune response begins to decline.
Pregnancy puts strain on the body, and at times it fails to fight infections.
infections, cancer, immunodeficiency diseases and autoimmune diseases Many chronic conditions, such as Therefore, these people are at higher risk of poisoning.
Corticosteroids and immunosuppressant drugs suppress the immune system. This leads to the development of susceptibility to the disease.
How does food poisoning happen?
You get toxins from contaminated food or drink. The food you consume can be contaminated at any stage, from harvest to storage or preparation and cooking. Contamination occurs when a food is not:
If not fresh
If not washed well
If not handled properly
If not cooked to a safe temperature
If not stored at appropriate temperatures
If refrigerated and frozen immediately
What causes food poisoning?
The most common cause of food poisoning are bacteria, viruses and parasites. Food and water can be contaminated by:
Bacteria
Viruses
Parasites
Mushrooms
Toxins
Chemicals.
There are more than 250 specific types of food poisoning. The most common are:
Salmonella: Raw eggs and undercooked poultry cause salmonella. It can also consist of beef, vegetables, and processed foods containing these substances.
E.coli: Found in undercooked meat and raw vegetables E. coli bacteria produce a toxin that irritates the small intestine. Shiga toxin causes foodborne illness.
Listeria: Bacteria in soft cheese, delicatessen products, hot dogs, and raw sprouts cause an infection called listeriosis, which is especially dangerous for pregnant women.
norovirus: Norovirus can be acquired by consuming undercooked shellfish, leafy greens, fresh fruit, or food prepared by a sick person.
HepatitisA: Viral hepatitis A is spread through water and ice contaminated with shellfish, fresh produce, or feces. It is not a chronic infection like other hepatitis viruses. However, it affects the liver.
Staphylococcus aureus(staph):Staph infection occurs if a person transfers staph bacteria from their hands to food. Bacteria affect many parts of the body.
Campylobacter :This common bacterial infection that causes severe digestive upset can last for weeks. It's usually contagious from undercooked poultry, meat or eggs, poorly processed meats, contaminated vegetables, and raw milk or water. It is also transmitted through cross-contamination. It causes bloody diarrhea and is rarely fatal.
Shigella(shigellosis): Shigellabacteria typically uncooked vegetables, shellfish. found in cream or mayonnaise-based salads (tuna, potatoes, pasta, chicken). It causes bloody diarrhea.
Food Poisoning Symptoms
food poisoning symptoms It passes in 12 to 48 hours. That's how long it takes for a healthy body to clear the infection. It may take longer if you have a weakened immune system or a parasite that needs to be treated with antiparasitic drugs. Food poisoning symptoms include:
Abdominal painis felt under the ribs or above the lower abdomen.
In cases of poisoning, harmful organisms produce toxins that irritate the lining of the stomach and intestines. This causes a painful inflammation in the stomach and therefore pain in the abdomen.
There may be cramps in the abdominal muscles because the intestine wants to accelerate its natural movements and destroy harmful organisms as soon as possible.
Abdominal pain and cramping can also develop as a result of other conditions. Therefore, it cannot be considered among the symptoms of food poisoning alone.
It occurs because the intestine leaks rather than absorbs fluids due to inflammation.
For this reason, it is important to drink more water than in cases of poisoning.
Headache
Since food poisoning causes fatigue and thirst, it is also a side effect. headache arises.
Mumps
Vomiting is the most common symptom of food poisoning.
With a strong contraction of the abdominal muscles and diaphragm, it causes the food in the stomach to come out.
Vomiting is a protective mechanism that occurs when the body tries to get rid of dangerous organisms or toxins that it detects as harmful.
Feeling sick in general
Those who experience food poisoning commonly experience fatigue, loss of appetite, and other symptoms that make them feel sick.
This happens because the immune system reacts to the infection invading the body.
Fire
If your body temperature is higher than the normal range of 36-37 ° C, you have a fever.High feveris common in many diseases and occurs as part of the body's natural defense against infection.
Fire-producing substances called pyrogens trigger fever. It is released by the immune system or by infectious bacteria that enter the body.
It creates fever by sending messages that trick the brain into thinking the body is colder than it is. This causes the body to produce more heat and less heat loss, so the fever rises.
Shake
When the body temperature rises, chills may occur.
Shivering produces heat as a result of rapid contraction of the muscles.
Fever is often accompanied by chills, as pyrogens trick the body into thinking that it is cold and needs to be warmed up.
Fatigue and exhaustion
Feeling sluggish is one of the symptoms of food poisoning. These symptoms occur due to the release of chemical messengers called cytokines.
Also, eating less because of a lack of appetite also makes you feel tired.
Nausea
Nauseais an unpleasant feeling that reminds you that you are about to vomit.
It is completely normal to feel nauseated in cases of food poisoning.
Nausea from food poisoning typically occurs one to eight hours after a meal.
It is a warning signal to let the body know that it has received something potentially harmful.
Muscle pains
Exposure to an infection, such as food poisoning, causes muscle soreness. Because by activating the immune system, it creates inflammation.
In this process, the body releases histamine; this chemical causes blood vessels to dilate more so that the white blood cell can fight infection.
Histamine allows to increase blood flow to infected areas of the body. Along with other substances involved in the immune response, such as cytokines, histamine reaches other parts of the body and triggers pain receptors.
This makes certain parts of the body more sensitive to pain.
How to Prevent Food Poisoning?
There are some important points to consider to minimize the risk of food poisoning:
Pay attention to the hygiene rules: Wash your hands with soap and hot water before preparing food. Always wash your hands immediately after touching raw meat and poultry.
Do not wash raw meat and poultry: This does not kill the bacteria – it just causes it to spread to other foods, cooking utensils and kitchen surfaces.
Avoid cross contamination: Use separate chopping boards and knives, especially for raw meat and poultry.
Do not ignore the use-by date:For health and safety reasons, foods should not be eaten after the use date.
Cook the meat thoroughly: Cook ground beef, sausages and poultry at the appropriate temperature.
Wash fresh produce:Wash greens, vegetables, and fruits before eating, even if they are prepackaged.
Keep food at a safe temperature: 5–60 ° C is the ideal temperature for bacteria to grow. Do not leave leftovers at room temperature, put them in the fridge.
Complications from food poisoning
Complications from food poisoning are rare. But it can be serious and in some cases even fatal. Thirst is the most common risk. However, some types of infections can cause other special complications. For example:
Miscarriage and stillbirth: Listeria infection is especially dangerous for unborn babies. Because bacteria can cause neurological damage and death.
Kidney damage: E. coli It can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and kidney failure.
Arthritis : Salmonella and campylobacter bacteria can cause chronic arthritis and joint damage.
Nervous system and brain damage:Some bacteria or virusesIt can cause a brain infection called meningitis. bacteria such as Campylobacter, Guillain-Barré syndrome It can cause a neurological disorder called
Poisoning can occur if some foods are improperly stored, prepared or cooked. So what foods are poisonous? The foods that cause the most food poisoning are:
Animals with wings
Raw and undercooked poultry, such as chicken, duck and turkey, have a high risk of causing food poisoning.
This is mainly due to two types of bacteria, Campylobacter, found in the guts and fur of these animals.and SalmonellaIt depends.
These bacteria often contaminate fresh poultry meat during the slaughter process. It can survive until food is cooked.
To reduce the risk, cook poultry meat completely. Ensure that raw meat does not come into contact with utensils, kitchen surfaces, chopping boards and other foods. Because this is the casecross contaminationcause a.
Vegetables and greens
Vegetables and leafy greens are a common source of poisoning, especially when eaten raw.
Especially vegetables such as lettuce, spinach, cabbage, celery and tomatoes cause food poisoning.
Vegetables and leafy greens can be contaminated with harmful bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria. This can occur at various stages of the supply chain.
Pollution can also be caused by polluted water, polluted runoff seeping into the soil where fruits and vegetables are grown.
Leafy greens are particularly risky because they are mostly consumed raw.
To minimize the risk, wash the leaves thoroughly before eating them.
Fish and shellfish
Fish andshellfish It is a common source of poisoning.
Fish that are not stored at the correct temperature run the risk of becoming contaminated with histamine, a toxin produced by bacteria in fish.
Histamine cannot be destroyed by normal cooking temperatures, leading to a type of poisoning known as scombroid poisoning. It causes various symptoms of food poisoning, such as nausea, swelling of the face and tongue.
Another type of poisoning caused by contaminated fish is ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP). This is caused by a toxin called ciguatoxin, which is mostly found in warm and tropical waters. Shellfish such as oysters, mussels, and scallops also carry risks.
Algae consumed by shellfish produce many toxins. These accumulate in the meat of shellfish.
Shellfish bought in grocery stores is generally safe. However, shellfish caught from unsupervised areas may not be safe due to pollution from sewers, rainwater drains and septic tanks.
Buy seafood from grocery stores to reduce risk. Cook the fish well. Cook oysters and mussels until the shells open. Discard the ones that don't open.
Rice
Rice is the staple food for more than half of the world's population. However, it is a high-risk food when it comes to food poisoning.
Uncooked rice can be contaminated with spores of Bacillus cereus, a bacterium that produces toxins that cause poisoning. These spores can survive in dry conditions. For example, it can survive on a package of uncooked rice in your pantry. It can also survive the cooking process.
If cooked rice is kept at room temperature, these spores turn into bacteria that multiply in a warm and humid environment.
If rice dishes are left at room temperature for a long time, they will not be safe to eat.
To reduce the risk, consume rice dishes hot and do not keep them at room temperature whenever possible.
Deli meats
Delicatessen products, which include foods such as ham, bacon, salami, and sausage, can be a source of food poisoning.
It can be contaminated in several stages when processing with harmful bacteria such as Listeria and Staphylococcus aureus.
Contamination can occur through contact with contaminated raw meat or by cross contamination by delicatessen staff from poor hygiene, poor cleaning practices, and dirty equipment such as slicing knives.
Salami, sausage and bacon should be cooked thoroughly and consumed immediately after cooking.
Unpasteurized milk
Pasteurization is the process applied to liquids or food to kill harmful microorganisms. Food manufacturers pasteurize dairy products such as milk and cheese to make them safe for consumption.
Pasteurization Brucella, Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, E. coli, Listeria and Salmonellakills harmful bacteria and parasites.
To minimize the risk of poisoning from unpasteurized dairy products, buy only pasteurized products.
Store all milk below 5°C and discard expired milk.
egg
egg Although incredibly nutritious and versatile, it poses a risk of food poisoning when raw or undercooked.
This is because the egg can carry Salmonella bacteria, which can contaminate both the shell and the inside of the egg.
To reduce the risk, do not consume eggs with cracked or dirty shells.
Fruits
Foods such as berries, cantaloupe, and pre-made fruit salads can cause poisoning.
Ground-grown fruits such as melons and watermelons have a high risk of causing food poisoning due to the Listeria bacteria growing on the peel and spreading to the flesh.
Raspberry, blackberry, strawberry andblueberries Fresh and frozen fruits, such as fruits and vegetables, are a common source of poisoning due to harmful viruses and bacteria, especially the hepatitis A virus.
Washing the fruit thoroughly before eating minimizes the risk. Wash the peel thoroughly before consuming the melon.
In most cases, you can manage food poisoning at home by drinking plenty of water. Because you lose a lot of fluids due to diarrhea, vomiting and fever. Let's take a look at food poisoning home treatment options.
Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegarIts antibacterial properties are very effective against foodborne pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli.
Add one to two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water.
Mix well and consume immediately.
Drink this 2 to 3 times a day.
Thyme oil
Oregano essential oilCan be used to treat food poisoning. It contains compounds such as carvacrol and thymol, which give it excellent antimicrobial properties and help eliminate the pathogens responsible for poisoning.
Add a drop of food grade oregano oil to 60 ml of water and mix well. for this.
Drink this 1-2 times a day until you see an improvement in symptoms.
honey ginger
GingerIt is a widely used herbal remedy for various ailments. Studies in mice have shown it to be effective in supporting the clinical treatment of E. coli diarrhea.
Ginger also increases the absorption of essential nutrients that can aid digestion. Raw honey exhibits antimicrobial and digestive properties that accelerate healing. Both ginger and honey relieve nausea and vomiting, which are symptoms of food poisoning.
Add the sliced ginger root to a glass of water and bring it to a boil in a saucepan. Cook for 5 minutes and strain.
Let the tea cool before adding some honey to it. Drink immediately after adding honey.
Drink this tea at least 3 times a day until your symptoms disappear.
Garlic
GarlicIt has powerful antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties that can help destroy foodborne pathogens. It also relieves diarrhea and stomach pain.
Chew at least 2-3 cloves of garlic daily until you heal.
Alternatively, you can mix chopped garlic with honey and eat it.
Grapefruit Seed Extract
Grapefruit seed extract contains polyphenols that help inhibit the activity and growth of bacteria that cause foodborne illness. These properties fight the pathogens responsible for food poisoning and promote faster recovery.
Add a few drops of grapefruit seed extract to a glass of water and mix well.
Consume daily.
Drink this 3 times a day for 5 to 3 days.
Lemon juice
Lemon juiceIt is a rich source of antioxidants. It helps fight bacterial pathogens that cause food poisoning.
Extract the juice of half a lemon and mix it with a glass of water.
Add some honey for flavor and consume.
You can drink lemon juice 2-3 times a day.
honey basil
Basilis a herb known to kill foodborne pathogens with its excellent antimicrobial properties. It also calms the stomach and reduces the symptoms of food poisoning.
Crush some basil leaves and extract the juice.
Mix a teaspoon of honey with a teaspoon of basil extract and consume immediately.
Alternatively, you can add a drop of basil oil to a glass of water and consume it.
Do this 3 to 4 times a day.
Banana
Bananareplenishes lost potassium in the body. This re-energizes. Helps relieve symptoms of food poisoning.
Eat a banana every day.
You can also mix banana with milk and consume it daily.
Nutrition after food poisoning
Do not eat or drink anything for several hours after experiencing symptoms of food poisoning, such as vomiting and diarrhea. After a few hours, you can start consuming the following foods/drinks to overcome the sluggishness:
Sports drinks containing electrolytes to meet the body's water needs. However, stay away from drinks that contain a lot of sugar and caffeine.
Meat Water
Light foods that don't hurt your stomach, such as bananas, cereal, egg whites, and oatmeal.
Fermented foods.
Foods containing probiotics, such as yogurt
What not to eat after food poisoning
Getting rid of foods that are likely causes of food poisoning is at the top of the list. Avoid foods and drinks that can upset your stomach, such as:
Alcohol
Caffeine
Spicy foods
Dairy products
Oily or fried foods
Nicotine
Spicy and processed foods
To summarize;
Food poisoning, a foodborne illness, is a disease transmitted by what we eat and drink. This disease is caused by harmful bacteria, viruses and parasites in food and drink.
Symptoms of food poisoning are diarrhea, vomiting, fever, chills and nausea. Symptoms begin hours or a few days after eating. Most people get over this mildly. It heals without the need for treatment. There are also some home remedies that can improve the symptoms of food poisoning.
