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DEFINITION: Food poisoning is the result of consuming contaminated, spoiled, toxic food and water.

CAUSE:

Food poisoning can be mainly due to:

Microbes:

• Staphylococcus aureus
• Clostridium botulinum
• E. Coli
• Salmonella
• Shigella
• Brucella
• Campylobacter
• Yersinia enterocolitica

Viruses

• Hepatitis A
• Viruses Rota
• Nora Viruses

Parasites

• Cryptosporidium parvum
• Entamoeba histolytica
• Giardia lamblia
• Toxoplasma gondii
• Trichinella spiralis

Foods

• Mushrooms
• Meat, poultry
• Eggs, dairy products
• Mussels
• Snails
• Inadequately washed fruits and vegetables

Chemicals substances

• Insecticides
• Chlorine
• Detergents

Spoilt food is the most common cause of food poisoning, especially in the summer months due to the high temperatures in our country.

SYMPTOMS:

• The most common are:
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Blood in the stool
• Headache
• Fever
• Feeling weak

The symptoms of poisoning usually last one or two days, but in severe cases they can last longer.

Vomiting and diarrhea are the most common symptoms.

TREATMENT:

• Avoid consuming foods rich in fiber and fat as they increase intestinal motility. For the same reason, it is advisable to avoid dairy products.
• Eat solid foods, such as rice, white meat, chicken, boiled potatoes, well-boiled carrots and zucchini, banana, pear, apple, white toast or white bread.
• Drink plenty of fluids such as water, tea, apple juice with a gradual increase in quantity, starting with 1 teaspoon every 5 minutes as vomiting and diarrhea can cause electrolyte loss and dehydration.
• The use of any medication is always done in consultation with the attending physician.

SEE MEDICAL HELP WHEN:

• Diarrhea and vomiting last more than 2 days.or accompanied by high fever, abdominal pain, dizziness or blood in the stool.
• You have persistent vomiting or feel dehydrated.
• If you experience hypotension and confusion, contact your doctor or hospital immediately.
• You belong to vulnerable groups (elderly people, pregnant women, infants and young children, diabetics, cancer patients, etc.)

PREVENTIVE MEASURES:

• Wash your hands well.
• Wash fruits and vegetables well.
• Wash kitchen counters and sink well before and after preparing food.
• Well-cooked meat, especially chicken.
• Check the expiration date on all products without exception.
• Avoiding consumption of unpasteurized dairy products (e.g. milk or cheese from shepherds).
• Observing hygiene rules in the care of pets.
• Informing travelers about the hygiene conditions prevailing in the country(ies) they will visit.