Foodborne illness

Over the counter solutions to keep at home

WHEN you encounter mild symptoms of food poisoning , the first thing you want is fast relieve .

KPJ Tawakkal Specialist Hospital consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Patricia Lim Su Lyn pointed to a number of over the counter medication , but cautions the public not to underestimate the dehydration .

“ Oral rehydration salt or if you don ’ t like that , Gatorade and 100 plus are good , probiotics such as Yakult that can be consumed straight away also helps replenish the good bacteria .”

“ Charcoal tablets are very good and it is harmless , so that can be consumed . Smecta ( Smectite Dioctaedric ) is also a great product for upset stomach and diarrhea after food poisoning which can be taken even by children .”

“ However , antispasmodic and antidiarrheal should not be taken prior to consulting a doctor ,” she said .

Not just limited to bacterial viruses and parasites but toxins too

OODBORNE illness , more

F commonly referred to as food poisoning , is the result of eating contaminated , spoiled , or toxic food .

KPJ Tawakkal Specialist Hospital consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Patricia Lim Su Lyn explained the most common symptoms to be nausea , vomiting , diarrhoea and fever .

“ Food poisoning is not just limited to bacterial viruses or parasites . It could also be toxins and at times , you might not even know the cause .”

“ The severity between food poisoning is far worse than gastroenteritis because it is caused by a toxin , and if you are continuously being contaminated , than you can have severe effects . For example , led poisoning – that ’ s a type of poisoning which has adverse effects .”

“ Led poisoning – happens through contaminated water . For example , living near a factory that is dealing with batteries where residues may be leeching into the water supplies . If the sanitation is poor , you may be drinking contaminated water and that could lead to this problem . Symptoms can be very mild including diarrhoea , tummy cramps to the severe bloody diarrhoea .”

“ Dehydration is a major concern affecting both spectrums of the age group – children as well as adults . If the patient has food poisoning or gastroenteritis and vomiting continuously , there is a risk of severe dehydration . The patient may not be conscious enough to realise that and to replace the fluids and that could lead to collapse and shock .”

Bacteria

Bacteria is by far the most prevalent cause of food poisoning . E coli and Salmonella from uncooked poultry and eggs by far are the biggest culprit of serious food poisoning cases .

Parasites

“ Food poisoning caused by parasites is not as common as food poisoning caused by bacteria , but parasites spread through food are still very dangerous . Toxoplasma is the parasite seen most often in cases of food poisoning . It ’ s typically found in cat litter boxes .”

“ So , if you don ’ t practice good hygiene , you deal with the litter and proceed to have your food – you may ingest the parasite . This however , is more severe in persons with weaker i m m u n e system . So , you may actually get it and not know that you have it – and with weaker immune system such as those with diabetes and cancer patients , the symptoms may be severe .”

“ Food poisoning can also be caused by a norovirus , also known as the Norwalk virus , rotavirus

and Hepatitis A virus is a serious condition that can be transmitted through food .”

Treatment

To replenish the fluids , oral rehydrating solutions may be given but if the patient is very dehydrated , hospital admission and drips may be required .

“ Food poisoning is not just limited to bacterial viruses or parasites . It could also be toxins and at times , you might not even know the cause .”

What makes food contaminated ?

FOOD can become contaminated at different stages — from the time it is still being produced in the farm or factory up to the time we prepare it in our homes .

If the person preparing the food is not practicing good hygiene — or if food such as poultry , eggs are still raw even unpasteurised milk can result in food poisoning .

The other thing often overlooked is our chopping boards . We may use it to cut poultry and may continue with the vegetables without properly cleaning the board or disposing the remainder from the poultry earlier .

As vegetables are cooked under medium to slow heat , it does not kill the bacteria and viruses it contains .

Sushi

Other foods that are likely to cause food poisoning include sushi and other fish products that are served raw or undercooked .

Gastroenteritis : When your intestines are irritated

GASTROENTERITIS also known as stomach flu is generally caused by bacteria or viruses – rotavirus and norovirus . Rotavirus has long been the most common cause of severe infection in the intestines , usually causing diarrhoea while norovirus is a very contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhoea .

KPJ Tawakkal Specialist Hospital consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Patricia Lim Su Lyn pointed out symptoms of gastroenteritis to be diarrhoea , vomiting , cramps , headache and dehydration which can occur in both spectrums of the age group – children and adults .

“ Viral causes are commonly caused by rotavirus which is spread in childcare centres . This again boils down to hygiene . In most reported cases , the caretaker attends to the child , changes the soiled diapers and continue with food preparation without washing their hands . This is how it spreads .”

Another causes are bacterial such as salmonella , e-coli and campylobacter . “ It is usually self-limiting and those that are very severe are the ones that we

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treat with antibiotics . Again , treatment is charcoal , and you could replenish back the good bacteria with pro-biotics .”

The HEALTH : October 2018 | Page 8

08 issue : hygiene