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

Hepatitis-Types & Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis

                           Hepatitis

                                                                   " Liver swelling

Introduction:

Hepatitis is an inflammatory liver disease caused by viral infection or exposure to toxic substances. It affects the function of the liver, which is necessary for digestion, detoxification and metabolism

Types & Causes of Hepatitis:

Viral Hepatitis:

Hepatitis A - Contaminated food/water 

Hepatitis B - Blood/unsafe intercourse spread .

Hepatitis C - From blood, it causes cirrhosis.

Hepatitis D -It only happens to Hepatitis B patients and is severe.

Hepatitis E - Pregnancy risk due to Contaminated water 

Non-Viral Hepatitis:

1. Alcoholic Hepatitis - By consuming too much alcohol.

2. Autoimmune Hepatitis - When the immune system becomes the enemy.

3. Drug-Induced Hepatitis - Paracetamol overdose, antibiotics.

Symptoms:

Jaundice - Skin and eyes turn yellow

Fatigue | weakness | Nausea | vomiting | Don't feel hungry.

pain near the liver | Dark urine | Pale stool.

Cirrhosis.

Ascites - Swelling in legs & abdomen.

Diagnosis:

Function Tests (LFTs) - ALT, AST, Bilirubin) 

Serological Tests - Virus  antibodies and antigens detection.

PCR Test - Viral RNA, DNA detect (B, C me useful).

Liver Biopsy -In Severe cases check liver damage.

Ultrasound / Fibro Scan.

Treatment:

Hepatitis A & E - Self-limiting, requires rest, hydration.

Hepatitis B & D - Antiviral medications (Tenofovir, Entecavir).

Hepatitis C - Sofosbuvir, Ribavirin, Interferon.

Severe Cases - Liver transplant.