We’ve all heard of “food poisoning”, and some of us have also personally experienced it.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) previously estimated that every year about 1 in 6 Americans may get food poisoning. The key to the treatment of food poisoning is to prevent dehydration. Fortunately, a typical case of food poisoning is self-limited and usually only lasts for about 24 hours.
The most common symptoms of food poisoning: —Development of severe digestive symptoms within one to four hours of eating the contaminated food. Digestive symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and fever.
—Moderate to severe dehydration can follow. Signs or symptoms of dehydration include excessive thirst, dry mouth, little or no urination, severe weakness, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
Food poisoning can occur after eating or drinking food prepared by someone who does not wash their hands properly, from food prepared using improperly cleaned cooking utensils, cutting boards, or other kitchen tools.
Food poisoning also commonly occurs after eating dairy products or food containing mayonnaise (such as coleslaw or potato salad) that have been out of the refrigerator too long, such as may occur at a family picnic or public gathering.
Another major source of food poisoning is from eating raw fish or oysters, raw fruits or vegetables that have not been washed well, or from eating undercooked foods, most commonly meats or eggs.
Further, you can get food poisoning by drinking water from a stream, or by drinking public water that has been contaminated and has not been properly treated.
The organisms that cause food poisoning are found in food or water that contain bacteria, parasites, or viruses, or from the toxins made by these various germs. Here are some common varieties: 1) Staphylococcus bacteria food poisoning is usually caused by careless food handling of milk products, meat, and fish, usually from a lack of refrigeration. This food poisoning occurs very quickly within only 2 to 8 hours after being consumed, and then the nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea symptoms begin.
2) Salmonella bacteria food poisoning is most commonly caused by contaminated or undercooked eggs, and this leads to the nausea, vomiting, crampy pain and diarrhea starting about 12 to 24 hours after eating the contaminated food.
3) Food poisoning from E. coli bacteria has the longest incubation period of 24 to 72 hours before symptoms begin. This is because the symptoms are caused from the toxin produced by these bacteria. This E. coli bacterial toxin causes the severe crampy abdominal pain and diarrhea. Undercooked beef is the most common source of the E. coli food poisoning.
It is very important to be aware that a case of food poisoning with severe nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may be life-threatening in infants, children, and the elderly, due to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. If the symptoms of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea persist—and there are signs of dehydration such as extreme thirst, dry mouth, dry skin and mucous membranes, with little or no urination—seek help from your health care provider without delay.