One of the causes of hospitalization in the US is food poisoning. You can get food poisoning from eating foods that are contaminated with certain bacteria, toxins or chemicals. Food poisoning usually occurs when there are poor food sanitation practices. Another reason food gets contaminated is when they are not stored in the correct temperature.
Signs and Symptoms of Food Poisoning
Typical symptoms of food poisoning include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach aches and fever. However, some microorganisms cause specific symptoms.
· Clostridium botulinum causes blurring of vision and weakness. In severe cases, it causes paralysis and even death.
· E. coli causes symptoms like hemorrhagic colitis. It is the condition wherein the diarrhea has large volumes of blood.
· Fish poisoning causes abdominal pain, dizziness, vomiting and diarrhea.
· Shellfish poisoning causes trouble swallowing and difficulty of speaking. In worst cases, there is difficulty of breathing.
How to Prevent Food Poisoning
· Wash hands before preparing food and before eating.
· Immediately put in the refrigerator foods that you are not eating.
· Avoid eating wild mushrooms.
· Avoid eating shellfish that are exposed to the red tide.
Food poisoning is easier to prevent than to cure. If food poisoning occurs at home, call up your health care provider.
