Food Poisoning: Causes, Symptoms, and Diagnosis

Food poisoning is a very common foodborne illness that is caused by consuming something infected by germs. It can occur in people of any age group and usually does not require any treatment.

Sometimes, it can lead to serious complications and last longer than the usual four to five days. Read on to learn more about food poisoning, its symptoms, causes, and diagnosis.

What is Food Poisoning? 

Food poisoning infects the digestive system. It is caused by foods and beverages contaminated with viruses, bacteria, and parasites and can even be caused by some harmful chemicals. Common symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea.

Usually, food poisoning lasts for less than a week. However, older adults, infants and children, pregnant women, and people with weak immunity are more vulnerable to severe complications of food poisoning. These complications include dehydration and haemolytic uremic syndrome, which is associated with kidney dysfunction.

Causes of Food Poisoning

This foodborne disease is mostly caused by microbes like bacteria, viruses, parasites, and sometimes by toxins from harmful chemical substances.

Food may become contaminated during food production if it is irrigated by water infected with pathogens from animals and human faeces. It can also be infected during food preparation if it comes in contact with an infected person or infected foods.

Uncooked foods are a common source of food poisoning as they do not undergo the cooking process that can kill the pathogens. Food stored in warm temperatures of 10-50 degrees Celsius also allows the multiplication of pathogens.

What are the Symptoms of Food Poisoning?

The symptoms often start within hours or several days of eating the contaminated food. These symptoms include:

• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Mild fever
• Headache
• Loss of appetite

Less common symptoms associated with food poisoning that affects the nervous system include:

• Blurred vision
• Paralysis
• Tingling sensation or numbness of the skin
• Loss of movement in limbs
• Weakness
• Difficulty in speaking

Symptoms of dehydration, which is a serious complication of food poisoning, include:

• Extreme thirst and dry mouth
• Dizziness and fainting
• Reduced or dark-coloured urine

If a person experiences any of these symptoms, it’s important to consult a doctor immediately:

• Severe dehydration
• Diarrhoea that lasts for more than 3 days (or more than a day in children)
• Frequent vomiting
• High fever
• More than six loose stools in a day
• Nervous system symptoms
• Black and tarry stools that contain pus or blood
• Severe pain in the abdomen and rectum

Types of Food Poisoning

Some common types of food poisoning include:

1. Bacterial Food Poisoning

This food poisoning is caused by bacteria like Salmonella, Clostridium, Campylobacter, and Staphylococcus aureus. Bacteria are the most common cause, as they grow quickly in undercooked, preserved, fermented, and poorly processed foods and drinks.

2. Viral Food Poisoning

This food infection is caused by viruses like Norovirus and Hepatitis A. The virus can infect the water, and drinking or cooking food with the contaminated water can cause the poisoning.

3. Parasitic Food Poisoning

Parasites like Toxoplasma gondii, Giardia, and Cryptosporidium can be transmitted from raw and undercooked food, infected organ transplants, food or surfaces contaminated with human faeces, and swimming in contaminated water.

Diagnosis of Food Poisoning

Mild symptoms of food poisoning do not require tests and can be treated by staying hydrated, eating bland foods like bananas and rice, taking prescribed medications depending on the pathogens, and resting.

However, serious cases of food poisoning require immediate medical attention. Doctors may perform a physical exam, stool test, or blood test to diagnose food poisoning and suggest appropriate treatment.

Prevention of Food Poisoning

Preventing food poisoning involves adopting proper food handling practices and maintaining hygiene. Key prevention methods include:

1. Washing foods with clean, sanitary water and thoroughly cleaning all surfaces and utensils while cooking.
2. Separating raw meat, poultry, and seafood from other foods to avoid cross-contamination and using separate utensils for each.
3. Cooking the food completely to kill harmful pathogens.
4. Storing food at safe temperatures and refrigerating all cooked and perishable foods.

Maintaining safe hygiene practices, both in the kitchen and outside, is essential to avoid severe complications associated with food poisoning. Safe food handling and preparation can prevent the discomfort of even mild symptoms of food poisoning, ensuring better overall health.

If a person notices any symptoms of food poisoning, they must immediately consult a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and book a stool sample test with Dr Lal PathLabs to ensure appropriate treatment.

FAQs

What is the cause of food poisoning?

Food poisoning is caused by consuming food and beverages that are infected by microbes like viruses, bacteria, and parasites.

What are the 5 most common symptoms of food poisoning?

Five common food poisoning symptoms include:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Mild Fever
• Pain in the abdomen