Prevention of food poisoning in adults and children
Food poisoning is a disease that occurs as a result of eating poor-quality food. Common symptoms of food poisoning in adults are inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and general intoxication. This condition is often accompanied by dehydration.
Food poisoning can be infectious, non-infectious and unspecified.
Non-infectious poisoning occurs due to toxins of mushrooms, plants, berries, as well as chemically harmful substances (poisons, heavy metals). Infectious or, as they are also called, food poisoning infections can be fungal or bacterial in nature. Their main causative agents are P. vulgaris, E. coli, Str. Faecalis, as well as Pseudomonas, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiela, etc. Treatment of foodborne infections requires immediate assistance from a qualified specialist.
Causes of the disease
The main causes of food poisoning, as a result of which microbes (toxins) get into food, are lack of hand hygiene, unwashed or expired products, and insufficient heat treatment. The main causes of toxic food infections are chemical poisons, as well as poisonous substances of animal and plant origin (mushrooms and plants).
The most dangerous products from the point of view of the development of food poisoning:
- raw eggs and dairy products;
- dishes with raw fish and homemade preserves;
- cakes and cakes with cream;
- meat and perishable products;
- dishes in canteens and cafes;
- products with damaged packaging.
Read more about what to do in case of food poisoning. Also, in the article you will find recommendations for treating the disease at home and preventive measures.
Symptoms of food poisoning in adults
Clinical manifestations of this condition usually appear 2-3 hours after eating. In some cases, symptoms of food poisoning may appear after a day. It all depends on the type of toxins, age and general condition of the person.
The following symptoms are characteristic of a food infection:
- increasing weakness, dizziness and lack of appetite;
- attack-like pains in the stomach;
- bloating and diarrhea;
- nausea, vomiting;
- low blood pressure indicators (not always).
If the poisoning is caused by a neurotoxic poison, then the clinical manifestations will be completely different: increased salivation, decreased visual acuity, weak muscle tone, dizziness (hallucinations and delirium are possible), high fever, increasing symptoms of dehydration (thirst, dry mucous membranes, frequent breathing). First aid for food poisoning should be provided immediately. Especially when it comes to babies, the elderly and pregnant women.
Symptoms of food poisoning in a child
Given the immaturity of the gastrointestinal tract, food poisoning in children is much more difficult. Sometimes the same food can cause a severe toxic infection in a child without causing any changes in the body of an adult. Among the main causes of failure of the child's body, experts include insufficient barrier function of the liver, rapid absorption of toxins by mucous membranes, low filtration function of the kidneys and low acidity of gastric juice.
A foodborne infection in a child begins with an asymptomatic period, moving into a period of extensive clinical symptoms.
The first period depends on the general condition of the baby, on the individual characteristics of the body, the type of toxin and the amount of food. The duration is from 30 minutes to 24 hours. During this period, the child may complain of weakness, sweating and general malaise. As soon as the causative agent entered the blood, the second period begins, characterized by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps and a rise in temperature. Please note that vomiting three times in children is the first symptom of dehydration.
Our website https://dobrobut.com provides general information on this issue, as well as measures to prevent food poisoning. At any time, you can call the above phone number and get advice from our specialist.
Diagnosis of the disease
The basis is the clinical manifestations and ill health of several people who used the same products at once. In order to identify the causative agent, cultures of blood, vomitus, food products, and feces are carried out. If there is a suspicion of a viral infection, an express analysis to detect the virus in the blood is appropriate.
Treatment of foodborne infection
If poisoning is suspected, an ambulance should be called immediately. The following measures are recommended before her arrival. They are especially relevant during signs of food poisoning in a child. Therefore, washing the stomach with a weak solution of soda (to clean water), taking an enterosorbent (activated carbon, smecta), drinking water (to avoid dehydration) and rest.
Important: in no case should you take painkillers, antiemetics, and antidiarrheal medications before the doctor arrives. With timely and qualified treatment, food poisoning will pass in 3-7 days. Read more about the diet after acute food poisoning. The specialist's recommendations will help to restore the irritated mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract.
Food after poisoning
As mentioned above, under the influence of toxins that caused a food infection, as well as vomiting and diarrhea, the entire mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract becomes inflamed. Accordingly, the diet after such a condition should be aimed at its recovery. Experts usually do not recommend eating on the first day. But you need to drink water. The patient is recommended to take table mineral water without gas or pharmacy "Regidron". You should start with a few tablespoons, gradually increasing the dose to one glass every hour. On the second day, you can add 200 ml of broth with crackers and liquid vegetable puree. The doctor will give more detailed recommendations, telling what you can eat after food poisoning. It is important to remember that the diet during this period should be as strict as possible, you should eat in small portions, but often, and also drink a lot.
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