eHow launches Android app: Get the best of eHow on the go.

  • Bookmark and Share

Food Poisoning

    Food Poisoning Editor's Picks

    • About Food Poisoning

      Many people believe they have food poisoning after eating something that tastes unpleasant. However, food poisoning is far more serious and is usually followed by dreadful symptoms that involve the digestive system. These symptoms can be difficult to control and treat and they can last anywhere from 24 hours to 10 days. In rare cases... more »

    • How Does Food Poisoning Spread?

      Food poisoning is most commonly spread from food that contains unhealthy bacteria to humans who come into contact with that food. If the bacteria is not killed by cleaning supplies or proper storage, it can work its way into the system of anyone who unknowingly ingests it. Widespread food poisoning cases most often occur when a large... more »

    • How to Decrease Chances of Getting Food Poisoning

      Food poisoning can render a gut-wrenching feeling of diarrhea and sometimes may require hospitalization. There are many ways to avoid food poisoning. Read on to learn how to decrease chances of getting food poisoning. more »

    • How to Cure Food Poisoning

      Food poisoning symptoms can appear hours or days after eating food tainted by bacteria, parasites or viruses. Contamination can occur anytime during food processing or handling. Symptoms of food poisoning include fever, loss of appetite, fatigue, stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. The Mayo Clinic recommends seeing a doctor... more »

    • Microorganisms That Cause Food Poisoning

      Considering it can be more expensive eating out, it is the larger food facilities that are more likely to have microorganisms, providing the onset of food contamination and possible food poisoning. Saying that, microorganisms which are linked to food poisoning can derive in any kitchen and on any food product available to man.... more »

    Food Poisoning Quick Guides

    Food Poisoning Articles

    Wikipedia

    Foodborne illness

    Foodborne illness (also foodborne disease and colloquially referred to as food poisoning ) is any illness resulting from the consumption of contaminated food.

    There are two types of food poisoning: food infection and food intoxication. Food infection refers to the presence of bacteria or other microbes which infect the body after consumption. Food intoxication refers to the ingestion of toxins contained within the food, including bacterially produced exotoxins, which can happen even when the microbe that produced the toxin is no longer present or able to cause infection. In spite of the common term food poisoning, most cases are caused by a variety of pathogenic bacteria, viruses, prions or parasites that contaminate food, rather than chemical or natural toxins.

    Causes

    Foodborne illness usually arises from improper handling, preparation, or food storage. Good hygiene practices before, during, and after food preparation can reduce the chances of contracting an illness. There is a general consensus in the public health community that regular hand-washing is one of the most effective defenses against the spread of foodborne illness. The action of monitoring food to ensure that it will not cause foodborne illness is known as food safety. Foodborne disease can also be caused by a large variety of toxins that affect the environment. For foodborne illness caused by chemicals, see Food contaminants.

    Foodborne illness can also be caused by pesticides or medicines in food and naturally toxic substances like poisonous mushrooms or reef fish.

    Symptoms and mortality
    Symptoms typically begin several hours to several days after consumption and depending on the agent involved, can include one or more of the following: nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, gastroenteritis, fever, headache or fatigue.

    In most cases the body is able to permanently recover after a short period of acute discomfort and illness. However, foodborne illnes read more at » http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foodborne+illness

    Related Ads

    Food Poisoning People & Community

    Connect with people who share your interest by joining one of our Groups:

    Topic Contributors
    Get Free Health Newsletters

    Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.   en-US Portions of this page are modifications based on work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License.

    Demand Media