Hello air clinicians and steemians 🤓 It is First Aid Friday,where we learn quick steps to saving lives before they are referred to a health expert.
We talked about Sunburn last week and we are going to be talking about food poisoning this week.

WHAT IS FOOD POISONING

Food poisoning is an illness usually of sudden onset caused by contaminated food,harmful germs and toxins.

CAUSES OF FOOD POISONING

Bacteria

Toxins

Viruses

Parasites

Of all these causes,food poisoning as a result of bacterial infection is a major and common cause.

Types of bacteria that causes food poisoning includes

√ Salmonella
√ Campylobacter
√ Staphylococcus aureus
√ Escherichia coli
√ Listeria

Food at high risk of these bacteria includes

° Eggs
° Unwashed Vegetables
° Unpasteurized dairy product
° Unwashed fruits
° Raw or undercooked meat
° Poorly preserved food

°Eggs
Egg is a nutritious protein and a component of our major breakfast for example our conventional bread and pancakes
Eggs when not properly processed contains salmonella
°Fruits
Fruits when not properly washed before consumption contains listeria
°Unpasteurized milk
Pasteurization is a process of heating milk at a specific temperature to kill bacteria and other harmful substances from milk.
When milk is not pasteurized it has a high chance of salmonella, listeria and Escherichia coli
°Vegetables
Bacteria like Escherichia coli lives and dwells in the soil ,there is almost always a trace amount of Escherichia coli on unwashed vegetables.
°Raw or undercooked meat
Raw or undercooked meat contains Staphylococcus aureus
°Packaged food are also at the risk of listeria.
°Poorly preserved food
Clostridium perfringens is
usually a problem on foods left unrefrigerated for too long, this is common in meats and gravies.

Another common cause of food poisoning is food poisoning caused by toxins.

Toxin is a poisonous substance produced within living cells or organisms.

Toxins that causes food poisoning could he either chemical or natural toxins.
Natural toxins includes
√ Mushrooms
√ Putter fish

Chemical toxins includes
√ Melamine
√ Bispehenol A
Melamine are often found in imported food products
Bispehenol A are often found in canned drinks and packaged food products

Symptoms of food poisoning includes

1.Vomiting
2.Abdominal Pain
3.Diarrhea
4.Fever
5.Loss of appetite
6.Nausea
7.Weakness or Fatigue

FIRST AID FOR FOOD POISONING

Diarrhea and vomiting can really throw off body’s balance of fluids and electrolytes required for normal functioning of the body.
Electrolytes are minerals, such as sodium and potassium, that help with everything from keeping your heartbeat normal to regulating the amount water in the body per time.
1.The major first aid step is to drink a lot of clear fluid to help maintain electrolyte level.
2.Avoid solid foods until vomiting ends. Then eat light, bland foods, such as saltine crackers, rice or bread.
3.Avoid fried and sweetened food
4.Avoid diary products.
5.If diarrhea and vomiting persists after 24hours seek medical attention and avoid self medication.

How to prevent food poisoning

The best way to prevent food poisoning is to avoid eating out,most times affordable and road side eateries do not pay attention to this minute details and often time serves contaminated meals.

Other ways to prevent food poisoning includes

1.Wash vegetables and fruits thoroughly.
2.Wash hand thoroughly before eating.
3.Wash utensils always.
4.Discard stale food
5.Do not microwave meals in cans use microwave bowls and keep them clean.
6.Take only pasteurized diary products.

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