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There are few experiences so enjoyable as walking the streets of some country you've never visited before while trying out the local food. I remember one such day in Mumbai when it was still known as Bombay. We were drinking fresh coconut milk straight from the bright green coconut. But, somewhere between the cutting of the fruit and the straw in the hole, some germs inserted themselves.
And later that day I was as sick as a dog. I didn't have any stomach cramps but I was unbearably nauseous and of course, I had the runs. The merest smell of any food made me want to vomit. The misery lasted for hours, but eventually, I recovered and became human again.
So it is with food poisoning and we’ve all experienced it at some point. You get it from food or a drink that is contaminated, and you feel utterly miserable for a few hours, but then, you gradually recover - still feeling exhausted.
But food poisoning is not the same as a stomach virus. The main difference is that it comes on very fast after eating the contaminated food - within 3 -6 hours.
Common symptoms of food poisoning include:
Most people recover from food poisoning on their own. Like any other disease, some people are more susceptible to food poisoning than others, such as:
Watch out for signs ofsevere food poisoning and seek medical help if you have any of the following symptoms:
Food poisoning or foodborne illness is caused by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. Contaminated means the food is tainted with a toxic organism, such as a bacteria, fungus, parasite, or virus. Germs like Salmonella or E. coli are common examples.
These organisms are toxic to the body. Butvomiting,diarrhea, and a high fever are your body’s way to rid itself of the toxins. Usually, a healthy person will be rid of all the toxins in a day or two.
Chemicals can also lead to food poisoning. Due to the development of industry and the consequent environmental pollution, food contamination has become more serious in recent years. For example, the food we eat may be contaminated with pesticides and heavy metals, which can cause gastrointestinal infections.
Bacteria, parasites, and viruses that cause food poisoning are present in some of our food, but cooking usually gets rid of them. Raw food that has not gone through the cooking process is a common source of food poisoning.
Another, more unpleasant source of food contamination is when an ill or not very hygienic person prepares food and doesn't wash their hands when they prepare food.
Food most commonly contaminated include meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products. Water is also often contaminated with organisms that cause stomach problems.
Food poisoning and stomach flu are not the same. Food poisoning is caused by food contaminated by bacteria, fungi, parasites, or viruses. Stomach flu is a viral infection of the stomach and the intestines.
The technical term for stomach flu is viral gastroenteritis. It’s an inflammation of the stomach and intestines caused by a viral infection.
See Also: What is Stomach Flu?
Food poisoning can last from a few to 48 hours in people who are healthy with a functioning immune system. People who have a compromised immune system may be sick for longer. If the infection was caused by a parasite, the food poisoning might take longer to clear up.
Mostly, a doctor will diagnose food poisoning based on the symptoms you have. If the symptoms are mild and go away in a short time, no tests will be required.
To make the diagnosis, your doctor will ask some questions, such as:
The doctor may also perform a physical exam, checking for signs of dehydration or fever, examining your abdomen, and taking your blood pressure.
Sometimes, doctors perform stool and blood tests to know exactly what the cause of the infection is.
Food poisoning caused by certain bacteria, viruses, or parasites can be contagious, but food poisoning caused by chemicals or toxins is not contagious.
On the other hand, stomach flu is extremely contagious.
To be on the safe side, avoid contact with people who have stomach issues if at all possible. Wash your hands regularly. Also disinfect all shared surfaces, especially in the bathroom and kitchen.
Most people will get better in a couple of days without special treatment. The main thing is to not get dehydrated. It's crucial toreplace lost fluids and electrolytes to prevent dehydration or treat existing dehydration. Do this by drinking:
You can also make your ownelectrolyte replacement mixture. Follow these proportions accurately. You don't want more sugar as that can worsen diarrhea, and more salt can also be detrimental, particularly for children.
If you can't stop vomiting, it might be useful to suck on some ice cubes or take small sips of any liquid that you can tolerate (except coffee or alcohol).
Saltine crackers can relieve nausea and replace electrolytes.
It can be helpful to try over-the-counter medicines fordiarrhea, such as Imodium or others. Don't give your infant or child over-the-counter medicines for diarrhea. Rather consult your doctor.
Also if you have bloody diarrhea over-the-counter medications will be useless. Consult your doctor for treatment.
While high-fiber foods are always preferable due to their many digestive benefits, it may be better to avoid them while you have food poisoning. It’s because these foods are difficult to digest. And so, it’s a good idea to give your digestive system some rest rather than tax it while you are sick.
However, you should focus on foods with soluble fiber at this stage. Soluble fiber absorbs fluid, so it can help relieve diarrhea.
Foods high in soluble fiber include:
As soon as your appetite returns to normal, you can return to your usual diet, even if youstill have diarrhea. The same goes for children. They should be given what they usually eat when they have an appetite again. Babies should receive breast milk or formula as usual.
Normally, people with food poisoning are advised to avoid the following foods and drinks:
Other than these recommendations, doctors these days focus on rehydration rather than restrictive diets. No research supports the idea that a restricted diet helps with diarrhea as a result of food poisoning.
To prevent food poisoning, anyone working with food must take special care to keep everything clean to prevent contamination.
A high fever (over 102 F), bloody diarrhea or vomit, dark urine or no urine, blurred vision, delirium or confusion, and dizziness or lightheadedness are signs that food poisoning is getting worse and it's time to consult a doctor.
You can return to work once you have been free of symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea for 48 hours.
Give your stomach a rest and focus on not getting dehydrated. Drink clear fluids like water, energy drinks, diluted fruit juice, and clear broth. Make yourself some rehydrate and keep sipping it. Eat simple foods that are easy to digest, like toast, ripe bananas, grits, and oats.
Food poisoning is an extremely unpleasant experience but in most cases, it resolves within a day or two without medication. The most important thing is to stay hydrated and to watch out for signs of dehydration.
The misery won't last long, but if you notice any signs of food poisoning worsening, contact your doctor immediately and get medical help.