Many cases of the common gastroenteritis are, in fact, food poisoning. The cause is bacteria or bacterial toxins in contaminated food. Improper food storage practices, lack of cleanliness, or inadequate cooking are usually the problem. The common symptoms of food poisoning are vomiting, abdominal cramping, and diarrhoea. Symptoms usually begin 1 to 24 hours after eating the contaminated food. TREATMENT FOR FOOD POISONING INCLUDES: - Doing nothing. Most common types of food poisoning subside within 24 hours without treatment.
- Replacing fluids. Extra fluids may be needed because of the vomiting and diarrhoea. Take frequent small sips of water or a re-hydration drink such as Gastrolyte.
- Antibiotics may occasionally be prescribed by your doctor for some food poisoning
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR RIGHT AWAY WHEN THE FOLLOWING OCCURS: - vomiting and diarrhoea that lasts more than a few hours in young children
- an infant or child becomes listless, withdrawn, or inactive
- nervous symptoms exist such as tingling, weakness, or headache or
- a fever is combined with diarrhoea, vomiting, and abdominal pain or cramping
YOU CAN HELP PREVENT FOOD POISONING BY CAREFULLY FOLLOWING A FEW SIMPLE SAFETY PRACTICES WHEN HANDLING FOOD: - Always wash your hands thoroughly before handling food.
- Make sure that you clean cutting boards thoroughly with warm soapy water before preparing food on them.
- Cook meats properly and never cook if partially frozen. Poultry is often contaminated. Cook it thoroughly and clean up carefully. Once cooked, do not place it on a surface where raw meat was placed before.
- Thaw frozen foods in the refrigerator overnight or in a microwave before cooking. Do not thaw food by setting it out on the kitchen bench.
- If there is a delay in serving food, keep it very hot or very cold.
Article #4918 Copyright (c) 2002 McKesson. All Rights Reserved. |
