How to Deal with Food Poisoning
Advice for Helping to Treat Salmonella and Similar Bugs
Apr 14, 2009
But although it tends to be classed as a minor condition, in some cases it can be life-threatening.
Most people will have suffered from some form of food poisoning and can sympathise with sufferers because of the general unpleasantness of the symptoms and its debilitating effects.
Types of Food Poisoning
Some food poisoning is caused by poisons - toxins - from bacteria already in the food. A well-known example of these types of poisons are the salmonella or E. coli group of bacteria, which are found mainly in meat, and are common causes of food poisoning.
Symptoms may develop rapidly within hours, or they may not occur until a day or so after eating contaminated food, and so it can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint exactly what the cause of the sickness is.
The other type of food poisoning is toxic food poisoning, frequently caused by poisons produced by the staphylococcus group of bacteria. Symptoms of this type of poisoning usually develop rapidly, sometimes with two to six hours of eating the affected food.
Dangers
One of the dangers of food poisoning is the loss of body fluids through vomiting and/or diarrhoea. The dehydration caused by this fluid loss can be serious if the fluids are not replaced quickly enough.
Dehydration is especially serious in the very young and the very old, and, in some cases, treatment may be required in hospital.
Signs and Symptoms of Food Poisoning
The recognition features of food poisoning may include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Cramping abdominal pains
- Diarrhoea which may be bloodstained
- Headache or fever
- Features of shock - pale, cold and clammy skin, feeling tired and thirsty, a rapid and weak pulse
- Impaired consciousness
Treatment
Although you are unlikely to be able to do anything to cure the patient's condition there are several things you can do to help him feel more comfortable.
Encourage the casualty to lie down and rest. Help him if necessary, and give him a bowl to keep close at hand in case he needs to be sick.
Give him plenty to drink to make sure that the fluids that are lost are being replaced. Sports drinks can be especially helpful in as they contain electrolytes and other nutrients, and are especially designed to help replace lost fluids.
If the casualty seems to be getting worse, or if they have been ill for more than 24 hours, call a doctor for advice. In many cases the doctor will simply advise rest and rehydration, but in severe cases hospitalisation may be required so that IV fluids can be given. If in doubt, call your local surgery for advice.
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