Most attacks of food poisoning are due to poor hygiene, cooking, or food storage, which allows bacteria or viruses in contaminated food to multiply. The most commonly affected foods are seafood, dairy products, and undercooked eggs and poultry. Symptoms of food poisoning include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and cramps in the abdomen, and, sometimes, fever, headache, and dizziness.
Make an appointment to see your doctor if:
* You have severe abdominal pain or vomiting
* There is blood or mucus in your stools
PREVENTION
Food hygiene Follow these steps to prevent germs from multiplying and avoid food poisoning.
* Before preparing food, wash your hands with warm water and soap, and dry them on a clean hand towel.
* Keep raw and ready-to-eat foods separate. Store raw meat in the bottom of the fridge so it can’t drip down.
* Use different chopping boards and work surfaces for raw meat, cooked meat, and vegetables. Clean boards and surfaces thoroughly after use.
* Cook food thoroughly, especially meat, fish, or eggs.
* When reheating food, ensure that it is very hot all the way through. Don’t reheat it more than once.
What you can do yourself
You can treat a mild case of food poisoning at home using the following measures.
You should feel better within a day or two.
* Get plenty of rest and make yourself as comfortable as possible.
* Drink at least 8 glasses of clear fluids a day. Take small sips so that you don’t vomit. If necessary, take an oral rehydration preparation (see DRUG REMEDIES).
* As soon as you can eat, have bland foods such as boiled rice, pasta, and mashed potatoes. Start with small amounts, returning to your normal diet once you can eat these foods without problems. You should avoid tea, coffee, dairy products, alcohol and fatty or spicy foods until a few days after the diarrhea has stopped.
* Be careful about hygiene to avoid passing on the infection to other people. Wash your hands thoroughly after going to the toilet, and have your own towel. Don’t make food for others, or share cutlery, cups, or plates. Keep away from those who are vulnerable to infections, such as young children, elderly people, and pregnant women.
* Take an antidiarrhoeal medicine if you need to stop diarrhea quickly (see see DRUG REMEDIES).
DRUG REMEDIES
Oral rehydration preparations are designed to replace lost water, sugars, and salts. Make up a sachet with the recommended amount of water and drink the solution instead of or in addition to regular drinks.
Antidiarrhoeal drugs should be used only as a last resort because diarrhea is the body’s way of getting rid of infection. You can take loperamide for quick relief if diarrhea is likely to cause embarrassment, for example, at work.
Seek further medical advice
Arrange to see your doctor if your symptoms are getting worse or have not cleared up within 28-48 hours.
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