Food Poisoning

Food Poisoning

What is food poisoning?

Food-borne illnesses affect millions of Americans each year. Many persons who think they have the flu or a virus are really victims of mild cases of food poisoning, caused by bacteria and viruses found in food. Particularly vulnerable to these infections are young children, the elderly, pregnant women (because of the risk to the fetus), and persons with chronic or serious illnesses, whose immune systems are already weakened.
What causes food poisoning?

Most food-borne illnesses are caused by eating food containing certain types of bacteria or viruses. After a person has eaten these foods, the microorganisms continue to grow, causing an infection. Foods can also cause illness if they contain a toxin or poison produced by bacteria growing in food.

Several different kinds of bacteria can cause food poisoning. Some of the common bacteria include the following:

* Salmonella and Campylobacter - normally found in warm-blooded animals such as cattle, poultry, and swine and may be present in raw meat, poultry, eggs, or unpasteurized dairy products.

* Clostridium perfringens - may be present in raw meat, poultry, eggs, or unpasteurized dairy products, as well as in vegetables and crops that come into contact with soil. Infection may occur when soups, stew, and gravies made with meat, fish, or poultry are stored improperly or left unrefrigerated for several hours.

* Listeria - mainly associated with raw foods of animal origins.

* Staphylococci - occur normally on human skin and in the nose and throat. These bacteria are transmitted to food when handled.

* Escherichia coli (E. coli) - found in the intestines of healthy cattle. An infection is caused by eating undercooked beef (especially ground beef) or unpasteurized milk.

Hepatitis A and other viral diseases may be passed through the hands of infected persons onto the hands of food handlers or into sewage. Shellfish and other foods which may have been exposed to sewage-contaminated water can transmit these viral diseases.

Botulism is a rare but deadly form of food poisoning caused by Clostridium botulinum, which is found almost everywhere, including in soil and water. Low acid foods, such as meat, fish, poultry, or vegetables, that are improperly canned may be breeding grounds for this bacteria.
What are the symptoms of food poisoning?

Unfortunately, most cases of food poisoning mimic gastroenteritis, and many people with mild cases of food poisoning think they have the "stomach flu." However, the onset of symptoms is usually very sudden and abrupt, often within hours of eating the contaminated food. The following are the most common symptoms of food poisoning. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

* abdominal cramps
* watery and/or bloody diarrhea
* nausea and vomiting
* headache
* fever
* abdominal distention and gas

The symptoms of food poisoning may resemble other medical conditions or problems. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.

Food Poisoning From Eating Fish

How do you get food poisoning from fish?
There are two ways to get food poisoning from eating fish:

* Ciguatera (say: seeg-wha-terra) poisoning: This happens when you eat a reef fish (any fish living in warm tropical water) that has eaten a certain poisonous food. This poison does not go away when the fish is cooked or frozen.
* Scombroid poisoning: A substance like histamine builds up in some fish when they get too warm after they’re caught. Histamine is a chemical that serves as a kind of alarm to let your immune system know that an infection is attacking part of the body. If you eat a fish that was not properly cooled after it was caught, you may react to the histamine that is released into your body.

Who can get food poisoning from fish?
Anyone who eats fish can get ciguatera or scombroid poisoning. In the United States, fish poisoning is more common in Hawaii, Florida, New York, Washington and Connecticut.

What are the symptoms of food poisoning from fish?
Symptoms of ciguatera poisoning include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness and numbness. You may notice a change in your ability to feel cold. You will think something feels hot when it is actually cold.

Symptoms of scombroid poisoning will usually develop 20 to 30 minutes after you eat an affected fish. They can include flushing (turning red), nausea, vomiting, hives and difficulty breathing. These symptoms are similar to other allergic reactions. However, getting scombroid poisoning does not mean you are allergic to fish.