When a person becomes sick by consuming contaminated food or water, such a condition is called food poisoning. These contaminations can be done by toxins, bacteria, chemicals, parasites, or viruses. Some of the common pathogens which are involved are norovirus, salmonella, Escherichia coli, clostridium perfringens, staphylococcus aureus, and campylobacter. Some of the cases are severe and lead to death and permanent disability, while most cases resolve even without treatment and are mild. Some may require hospitalization, forceful hydration, and antibiotic treatment, which depends upon the severity of the sickness. If more than two people manifest gastrointestinal symptoms and consume contaminated water or food, which is a source of sickness, then it is considered an epidemic.
Once in the US, foodborne diseases were the leading cause of illness, which affected almost six to eight million people and around 9000 deaths. But, because of the change in the characterization of these diseases, access to fresh surveillance data and adjustment in the food supply, morbidity and mortality improved. The center for disease control and prevention has approx. calculated thirty-one know pathogens for the cause of foodborne diseases.
There are many symptoms of food poisoning and some of them are discussed below:
# Diarrhea
When a person goes through 3 or 4 incidents of loose stools per day. It is a non-specific and common symptom in many of the foodborne illness. It is usually self-limiting and settles on its own after a few days. Those which last for about two weeks are called acute diarrhea and those which last for more than two weeks are called persistent diarrhea. In those conditions where it lasts for more than four weeks is known as chronic diarrhea. People with persistent and chronic diarrhea must take medical care. And if diarrhea is followed by fever, then that individual needs to take antibiotics.
# Pain in the abdominal area
Abdominal pain is the discomfort or pain felt in the area of the abdomen. This pain during food poisoning is identified as painful muscle cramps that occur due to electrolyte loss. Pain in the abdomen area is very serious in the course of the inflammatory process.
#Headache
A discomfort or pain in the area of neck and head is identified as a headache. It is also a non-specific and common symptom that is seen in various other diseases. Some types of headaches include migraines, tension, and cluster headaches. Causes of headaches depends upon various things but the main cause may be high blood pressure, stress, infection, heat, and dehydration. It can be treated through painkillers.
#Vomiting and Nausea
Vomiting is described as the involuntary and vigorous removal of content present in the stomach through your mouth and sometimes from the nose. Nausea is a commotion of discomfort and unease which also includes the desire to vomit. Both vomiting and nausea are non-specific and common symptoms for many conditions like food poisoning, anxiety, and pregnancy. So, the treatment depends upon the underlying cause.
#Fever
When the body temperature of an individual rises above the normal range, fever happens. There is an invasive disease, when fever is follow by food poisoning. It is also a non-specific and common symptom that can be observed in many diseases or conditions. Body tries to go on a high temperature than before which produce the sensation of chills and is accompanied by fever. These contractions of muscle caused by trembling help boost body temperature as the body produces and conserves heat continuously. Management of fever includes use of antipyretics like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines.
#Rose Spots
These macules are seen mainly in the patients of typhoid and paratyphoid who are on enteric fever. Red spots patches are two or four mm in diameter. This infection occurs due to salmonella typhi and salmonella paratyphi. These spots appear below the skin as bacterial emboli. These rashes appear after 7 to 12 days, when the symptoms start and last up to 3 to 4 days.
#Change in Stool
Any abnormal change in consistency, frequency or appearance of the stool is described as stool changes. Like in food poisoning, the stools are bloody and slimy or covered with mucus. And in the condition of cholera, it is watery and profuse. Changes in stools may be mixed with the conditions of diarrhea. But stool is not loose every time in stool changes. It can have normal consistency and still appeared to be bloody and mucus coated.
#Bloating
When gastrointestinal tract is packed with excessive air or gas, bloating occurs. It is a common and non-specific sign seen during conditions like overeating, indigestion or pregnancy. People feel full, hard abdomen, swollen abdomen, tight and painful. Bloating is related to pain, frequent belching, flatulence and abdomen rumblings. Bloating can be treated through antibiotics or antispasmodics.
#Reactive Arthritis
Joint pain because of inflammation is called as reactive arthritis. Joint pains are swollen and painful while on reactive arthritis. It occurs due to infection by bacteria like salmonella, shilgella, and chlamydia trachomatis. Some symptoms which are related to reactive arthritis are urinary issues, swollen fingers and toes, eye inflammation and skin problems.
#Rectal Tenesmus
It is defined as a feeling of deficient excretion or the capacity to empty your bowels. Tenesmus creates a desire to empty bowels, but due to the actual matter present in the rectum, it may not excrete it. It creates pain and discomfort. Some of the causes of tenesmus are hemorrhoids, colorectal cancer, radiation proctitis, diverticular disease and irritable bowel syndrome. Treatment depends upon the underlying cause. Methadone can be used as pain relief of tenesmus.