What is it?

The term "food poisoning" refers to a broad range of illness caused by eating food that has been contaminated with bacteria or by the poisoning products (the so-called toxins) If you happen to take a trip and enjoyed lots of interesting food that looks good, you may forget to be aware of eating contaminated foods that contain toxins of Staphylococcus, Salmonella, Clostridia, or E.Coli bacteria.

What are the Symptoms?

Gastroenteritis or an irritation and inflammation of the digestive tract that causes an upset stomach, acute vomiting, abdominal cramps, and sometimes diarrhea. These illnesses, caused by Staphylococcus or Salmonella bacteria, develop within 1-6 hours after eating contaminated food and may last for 24 hours. The illnesses caused by Clostridia bacteria develop within 24 hours of eating contaminated food, such as meat, and symptoms subside in the next 24 hours.

What should one do?

If you are contaminated by the Staphylococcus bacteria or Salmonella bacteria, and if the symptoms are severe, your physician can prescribe a medication to prevent vomiting. If the abdominal pain or cramps persist you may be prescribed medication as well, however, the disease subsides without treatment in 2-3 days. Antibiotics are not necessary and diarrhea needs no medication because it helps transfer contaminated diseases out of your system. If the patient is contaminated by the Clostridia bacteria, the symptoms subside within the next 24 hours. But if the diarrhea persists, the only treatment necessary is a syrup mixture to stop the diarrhea.

How to avoid it?

Wash hands with water and soap before and after touching food. Make sure food is properly cleaned, cooked and refrigerated. Eat food immediately after cooking. Avoid unhygienic food stalls or unhygienic restaurants. Give preference to well cooked food and pasteurized dairy products.