Food Poisoning- Introduction, Causes, Symptom, Diagnosis,Treatment.

                       Food Poisoning

                                                                                          "poison-e-taste "

Introduction:

Food poisoning is an acute (sudden) illness that occurs due to eating or drinking contaminated food or water. This dirty food or water contains harmful germs or their toxins.

Causes:

Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria, botulinum

Viruses: Norovirus, Hepatitis A

Parasites: Giardia, Toxoplasma

Toxins: Staph toxin, Botulinum toxin

Improperly cooked food, stale food, or dirty water most common reasons .

Contaminated -When harmful germs (bacteria, viruses, etc.) get onto a non-living thing (like food, water, surfaces.

 Symptoms:

Symptoms usually begin within 2-6 hours or a few days:

Nausea  | Vomiting.

Diarrhea (watery toilet)

Stomach cramps 

Fever | Headache | Body weakness or fatigue.

Severe cases: Dehydration, blood in stool.

Loss of appetite

Diagnosis:

Clinical History (First step) – Take all the details

Physical Examination - Dry mouth, low BP, sunken eyes.

Stool test: Bacteria identify.

Blood tests: CBC | Electrolytes Level.

Vomitus analysis: Sometimes vomit samples are also taken.

Food sample testing: Suspected foods are tested.

Treatment:

ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution):The most important first.

IV fluids: NS | RL.

Antiemetics (to stop vomiting): Ondansetron | Domperidone

Antidiarrheals: Loperamide (when no blood in stool)

Antibiotics: Azithromycin | Metronidazole | Ciprofloxacin

Probiotics: Saccharomyces boulardii, Lactobacillus