Signs of Food poisoning

Description

Food poisoning occurs when a patient consumes food or water that contains bacteria, viruses, or parasites. The disorder can also occur when the toxins from these organisms are ingested. The most frequent causes are listed here with the food they are commonly associated with in parentheses: Campylobacter (meat and chicken), Shigella (produce), Salmonella (meat, egg yolks, milk, chicken), Clostridium perfringens (meat), Escherichia coli-E. coli O157:H7 (meat, produce, milk), Giardia lamblia (produce, water), Hepatitis A (food from infected handler, shell fish, water), Noroviruses-Norwalk-like viruses (produce, shellfish), Rotavirus (produce), Staphylococcus aureus (meat, salads, cream sauces, cream-filled pastries), Vibrio vulnificus (shellfish). The best way to avoid illness is to cook food thoroughly. Unfortunately infected food handlers can pass on the organism after the food has been cooked.

Symptoms

The start of symptoms depends on the organism causing the infection but generally is 8 hours to a few days. The symptoms include: abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, chills headache, weakness, bloody diarrhea.

Tests

A history and physical exam will be done. Tests to determine the cause of the food poisoning will be performed. Blood tests to diagnose dehydration, and body chemistry abnormalities (electrolytes) may be done.

Standard Workup

CBC
Chem 12
Colonoscopy
CT Scan
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
Stool culture

Treatment

Some episodes will resolve on their own. Therapy depends on the severity of the symptoms and the organism causing the food poisoning. Treatment may include: oral re-hydration therapy, intravenous fluids, anti nausea medications (promethazine/Phenergan, ondansetron/Zofran), antibiotics or anti-parasite medications. Most cases of bacterial poisoning will not require antibiotics. First aid consists of drinking plenty of fluids, sports drinks contain both sugar and electrolytes and are a good choice. Children should be given store bought electrolyte solutions (Pedialyte etc.). Avoid caffeinated drinks and those containing milk. Medications to slow down the diarrhea should not be taken if there is a fever, abdominal pain or blood in the stool without first consulting a healthcare provider.