If you feel that your stomach is bloated after eating something, then you may be wondering if the food did not agree with you, or if you have food poisoning. Unfortunately, many people are in a hurry to use the term food poisoning when they may simply have a stomach bug, have eaten something that irritates their stomach, or may breastfeed. Learning what food poisoning is and whether it can happen to you. So it can help you use the word correctly and help determine if you have actually eaten a portion of food that is making you sick.
For avoiding food poisoning you have to need proper food verification before eating food. The food eaten by you is good quality, hygienic or not.
Causes of Food Poisoning
Food poisoning is a microscopic infectious organism that causes severe symptoms in the human body. It is a foodborne illness that gets ingested into the body by eating tainted food. The food can become tainted in many ways. These organisms can be from bacteria that have grown on an uncleaned surface used to cook or prepare food, or bacteria that is typically derived from animals or other organic matter. Another source of food poisoning is a virus. A virus can be transmitted in different ways, such as through the air in tiny particles that eventually land on the cooking surface or food itself, or it can be introduced by someone who does not adequately wash their hands after using the restroom. Finally, there are parasites that can infect or contaminate food. These parasites grow and multiply on food that has not been handled correctly or food that has been allowed to be out for extended periods of time.
Signs of Food Poisoning
The symptoms of food poisoning can vary depending based on how the person got infected and what caused them to become infected. The most common and likely signs of food poisoning are nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Odds are, you are going to experience some of these symptoms, and you are not going to have these signs go unnoticed if you experience food poisoning. Other possible signs of food poisoning include a mild fever, headaches, a loss of appetite, and abdominal discomfort. For more severe cases of food poisoning, you might experience a high fever of over 101.5 degrees that can be accompanied by severe dehydration and/or a dry mouth. Due to dehydration, you may have a difficult time speaking or seeing correctly. If you notice any of the latter symptoms, they can be a dangerous sign that you may have a life-threatening case of food poisoning. At this point, you need to get in contact with a doctor.
How Long Symptoms Take to Appear
Food poisoning can come on in many ways. It all depends on what organism you may have ingested and how much of the organism may have been present. The time it takes for symptoms to appear can vary. However, the common time frame it can take for food poisoning to start showing symptoms is typically anywhere between six hours and twenty-four hours. In this window, the bacteria, virus, or parasite is replicating and incubating, so you may not notice any immediate symptoms. However, it is important to note that not all bacteria are the same and the incubation time is going to vary. The quickest germ that can infect is Staph. It can take Staph as soon as 30 minutes to infect you or as long as 6 hours. Salmonella can start to rear its head starting at six hours and can take all the way up to six days after exposure to show symptoms in some people. Keep in mind that there a variety of germs, and as such, not every person will experience the same symptoms or within the same timeframe.
At-Home Treatment
When you are suffering from food poisoning, the best thing you can do is allow your stomach to settle as much as possible. This means that you should refrain from eating anything for a couple of hours. This includes any food or drink. Once you have given your stomach a rest, you can slowly introduce items back in by drinking water or anything with electrolytes, such as sports drinks or adult Pedialyte. This will help keep you hydrated. Once those stay down, you can start to introduce other clear liquids, such as chicken broth or clear, non-caffeinated sodas. When you begin to feel better, and you get to the point of being able to keep food down, then you are going to want to eat foods that are going to be light on your stomach. Eating things that are low in fiber and low in fat is recommended, as is following the B.R.A.T. diet, which includes bananas, rice, apples, and toast. Eating fatty foods or highly processed foods may cause your stomach to get more upset.
When to Seek Professional Care
Food poisoning can affect a wide range of people in a variety of different ways. Because of this, you may not know if you are going to need medical help. Most people can manage without medical help right away. However, some people will need to go to a medical professional right away. These individuals include women who are pregnant, people with a compromised immune system, newborns, and the elderly. If you find yourself in these categories, then seek out your doctor immediately. For those that are in generally good health, it is advised to pay attention to the most severe of symptoms. If you vomit or experience nausea for longer than 24 to 48 hours, you may need professional help. Additionally, if you have a temperature of 102 degrees, along with feeling extreme aches and pains that are accompanied by weakness you should seek medical attention for severe food poisoning.
If you have gone out to eat, and have experienced a severe case of food poisoning, you may be able to sue the restaurant from which you contracted food poisoning to help cover the costs of your medical expenses. Determining where someone was infected is not always easy, which is why you need to have an experienced personal injury attorney to assist you. Here at Wapner Newman, we can help you prove where you obtain food poisoning and why the restaurant is liable for your injuries and medical expenses. We offer free consultations, so you have nothing to lose by talking to us. Call us today to discuss your case and to find out what we can do to help you.
