FOOD POISONING

People infected with food-borne organisms may be symptom-free or may have symptoms ranging from mild intestinal discomfort to severe dehydration and bloody diarrhea. Depending on the type of infection, people can even die as a result of food poisoning

CAUSES

Food poisoning can affect one person or a group of people who all ate the same food. It is more common after eating at picnics, school cafeterias, large social functions, or restaurants.

When germs get into the food, it is called contamination. This can happen in different ways:

• Meat or poultry can come into contact with bacteria from the intestines of an animal that is being processed.
• Water that is used during growing or shipping can contain animal or human waste.
• Food may be handled in an unsafe way during preparation in grocery stores, restaurants, or homes.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Symptoms from the most common types of food poisoning will often start within 2 - 6 hours of eating the food. That time may be longer or shorter, depending on the cause of the food poisoning.

TREATMENT

Most of the time, you will get better in a couple of days. The goal is to ease symptoms and make sure your body has the proper amount of fluids.

Getting enough fluids and learning what to eat will help keep you comfortable. You may need to:

• Manage the diarrhea
• Control nausea and vomiting
• Get plenty of rest