Food Poisoning

Introduction:symptoms starts with double vision,numbness with
Food poisoning is an acute gastroenteritis caused byweakness.Later there will be paralysis with cardiac and
the consumption of a food material or a drink whichrespiratory failure ending in death.
contains the pathogenic micro organism or their toxins3) Staphylococcal food poisoning:
or poisonous chemicals.Food poisoning is common inIt is caused by staphylo coccus aureus. These
hostels,hotels,communal feedings, and festivel seasons.organisms usually cause skin troubles like boils and
A group of persons will be affected with same typeeruptions.It causes mastitis in cow.Through the milk and
of symptoms ,and they give a history of consumptionmilk products it enders and causes
of a common food before few hours.gastroenteritis.There will be vomiting,abdominal cramps
Types of food poisoningwith diarrhoea.
1) Bacterial food poisoning:4) Closteridium food poisoning:
Here the micro organisms called bacteria areThis is caused by closteridium perfringens.They are
responsible.The food material may contain thepresent in stool,soil and water. They enter the body
pathogenic bacteriae or their toxin and will be ingestedthrough,meat,meat dishes and egg ect.If food articles
along with the food.are cooked and kept in room temperature for a long
2) Non bacterial food poisoning:time and heated again before eating can result this
Due to the presence of toxic chemicals likefood poisoning.Symptoms include vomiting ,diarrhoea
fertilizers,insectisides,heavy metals and ect.and abdominal cramps.
Since bacterial food poisoning is common it is5) Bacillus cereus:
discussed here.The spores of these organisms can survive cooking
Bacterial food poisoning:and causes enteritis. Diarrhoea and vomiting is
All bacteria are not harmful.There are somecommon in this infection.
pathogenic bacteria which secrete toxins and causeHow to investigate food poisoning?
clinical manifestations.These organisms enter the1) Examine each and every person affected.
human body through food articles or drinks.2) Water sample should be tested.
How food poisoning occures:3) Kitchen, store room and food samples should be
1) Presence of bacteria in the water.examined.
2) The raw materials for the food may contain toxins.4) The cook and food handlers should be questioned
3) Premises where the food is prepared may containand examined.
micro organisms or toxins.5) Samples of vomitus and stool of all victims should
4) Food handlers may have some infectious diseases.be tested to identify the bacteria.
5) Some animals like dogs,rats may contaminate theHow to prevent food poisoning:-
food.1) Only purified water should be used.
6) If prepared food is kept in the room temperature for2) Hygiene should be maintained by all persons keeping
a long time and heated again can make a chance forcontact with food.
food poisoning.3) Workers should use masks, cap and gloves during
7) Purposely some body mixing toxins in the food.cooking and serving.
Some common bacterial food poisonings.4) Sick individuals should not come in contact with food
1) Salmonella food poisoning:materials.
There are three different varieties of salmonella5) Kitchen and premises should be neat and clean.
bacteria.(salmonella typhimurium,salmonella cholera5) Vessels should be washed with soap and hot
suis,salmonella enteritidis) These bacteria are present inwater.
milk, milk products and eggs. Symptoms of this food6) Should not keep the prepared food for a long time
poisoning include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Feverin room temperature.
is also common.7) All food materials should be kept in closed
2) Botulism:containers.
This is the dangerous type of food poisoning caused8) Animals like dog, cat, rat ect should not come in
by clostridium botulinum. The spores of thesecontact with food materials.
organisms are seen in the soil and enters the human9) Vegetables should be washed before cooking.
body through pickles and canned fish ect.Compared to10) Meat should be fresh and should be purchased
other food poisonings here vomiting and diarrhoea arefrom recognised slaughter house.
rare Mainly the nervous system is affected.The