Food Poisoning-The Hindu-08-10-2022

GS-1
SOCIAL ISSUE
CONTEXT: Tamil Nadu Minister for Social Welfare Geetha Jeevan on Friday ordered the closure and sealing of a private children’s home at Thirumuruganpoondi near Tiruppur, following the death of three boys due to suspected food poisoning.

Prelims and Mains:

What is food poisoning?
Food poisoning, or foodborne illness, occurs when you eat contaminated food. Contaminated means it’s infected with a toxic organism, such as a bacteria, fungus, parasite or virus. Sometimes the toxic byproducts of these organisms cause food poisoning.
When you eat something toxic, your body reacts to purge the toxins. You may purge through vomiting, diarrhoea, fever or all of these. The uncomfortable symptoms of food poisoning are your body’s way of working to return to health. It usually works in a day or two.
What is food poisoning?
Food poisoning, or foodborne illness, occurs when you eat contaminated food. Contaminated means it’s infected with a toxic organism, such as a bacteria, fungus, parasite or virus. Sometimes the toxic byproducts of these organisms cause food poisoning.

When you eat something toxic, your body reacts to purge the toxins. You may purge through vomiting, diarrhoea, fever or all of these. The uncomfortable symptoms of food poisoning are your body’s way of working to return to health. It usually works in a day or two.

The symptoms of food poisoning may begin at any point between a few hours and several weeks after eating contaminated food. They include:

Feeling unwell
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Stomach cramps
Other symptoms of food poisoning include:

Abdominal pain
Loss of appetite
A high temperature of 38C (100.4F) or above
Muscle pain
Chills

Some do’s and don’ts to prevent food poisoning at home:---------

Wash hands nicely with soap and water before eating or preparing food.
Utensils and cutting boards should be washed with warm soapy water and disinfectants.
Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly.
Keep raw foods (raw meat, poultry, shellfish) and ready-to-eat foods away from other foods to avoid cross-contamination.
Do not undercook foods. Reheat food rapidly until all parts of the food reach 75 degrees C. Cook fish and meats at 145 to 165 degrees F.
Food should be discarded if there is uncertainty about its quality or safety.
If one is suffering from food poisoning:----

Avoid eating solid foods. Take bland and easy-to-digest foods.
Avoid alcoholic, caffeinated or sugary drinks.
Replace fluids lost by diarrhoea or vomiting by drinking water or oral rehydration therapy. .
Don’t take antibiotics or anti-diarrhoea medications before consulting a doctor. Certain types of food poisoning (viz. listeriosis) are treated with intravenous antibiotics.
Consult a doctor if diarrhoea and vomiting persist.