Food Poisoning Awareness
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You might have come across media reports, both print and electronic, that a food poisoning incident has happened in a particular place. So many people have been hospitalised due to suspected food poisoning. Out of so many admitted, a few of them are at risk of life, etc. What does it mean? What is food poisoning and how does it occur? You may be curious to know the answer to all these. To find answers to these questions, let us dive into this small write-up. I hope this will clear some of your basic doubts.
What is food poisoning?
When you happen to eat contaminated food or drink, you may be susceptible to food poisoning. This may happen knowingly and unknowingly during the time of consumption of edible items that are spoiled physically or chemically. The eating items may have been spoiled, rather contaminated, i.e., come into contact with poisonous substances or undergo a change in their composition from their original state. Normally it occurs during production, preparation, transportation and storage. Harmful bacteria, parasites, some viruses, or even chemicals spoil the edible items. These are the primary sources of contamination.
You would like to know what actually happens when contamination occurs. The natural ingredients of the food prepared may deteriorate or undergo chemical change that alters the original nature of the food or drink.
How do you identify that a person has been affected by food poisoning?
When a person really consumes a food/drink that is contaminated with a poisonous substance, he/she exhibit nausea, vomiting, accompanied by diarrhoea. Some experience stomach aches and fever. Some others show symptoms of headache and weakness. In acute poisoning cases, one may exhibit dehydration with exhaustion. Organ damage may result in prolonged poisoning cases. Depending upon the degree of poisoning, symptoms appear within a few hours or days of eating the poisoned food.
Vital causes of food poisoning
Food may be contaminated due to harmful bacteria that are generated within the food, not properly protected.
Unhygienic handling of food results in contamination with viruses like Hepatitis A. Lizards, rats (sometimes dead) and other poisonous insects may come into contact with uncovered and unprotected food in the containers where they are stored.
Mixing sewage water with drinking water, Pesticides, cleaning agents, toxins and certain harmful chemicals come into contact with food and drinking water.
OK, now let us know how you will identify that a food has actually been contaminated for food poisoning? These are some of the observations one can make in the poisoned food.
Unpleasant odour
Discolouration of the food
Change in the structure of food
Mold growth over the food
Bubbles or fizzing
Change in the taste of the food.
Damaged food packets
Symptomatic treatment
When a person is suspected with food poisoning exhibiting the aforementioned symptoms, he/she should be given immediate medical assistance by taking them to the nearby hospital or medical clinic. First stomach wash will be given and the person may be put into drip administration to prevent dehydration and exhaustion. he/she will be treated with anti-poisonous drugs through oral or injection to save from fatal conditions. Adequate rest will be needed. Putting him on a liquid diet to recoup health and conscience may also be needed. Medical attention should be continued till he/she recovers fully.
How to avoid food poisoning
Generally, food poisoning occurs in mass feedings like midday meals in schools where a large beneficiaries are covered. During marriage, feasts and mass feeding take place. Hence, all precautionary steps to be taken in such feedings for contamination.
However, observing some general precautions by all can prevent food poisoning altogether.
Precautions to prevent food poisoning
Not consuming rotten/old food items ( avoid expiry date food items).
Maintain personal (hand washing) and environmental hygiene (using clean vessels for the preparation of food and drinks).
Properly, completely, safely, and securely covered food prevents chances of contamination. The community as a whole should be careful and take responsibility and be alert. These measures will prevent food poisoning in toto.
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