How to Treat Food poisoning

Treatment and prevention of food poisoning

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• liquids
• a doctor

1. Diarrhea or vomiting caused by contaminated food usually lasts no longer than 24 hours. To avoid dehydration, drink water or tea, taking sips every 15 minutes if you have trouble keeping anything down. Continue with a liquid diet for 24 hours; only then return gradually to bland solids. medication is rarely necessary.consult a doctor if you suspect food poisoning in a child under 3 or if anyone's symptoms last longer than 2 days or are unusually severe. get emergency medical help if watery diarrhea strikes every 10 or 15 minutes,if it contains blood or mucus, or if abdominal pain or fever is constant.
2. A rare, life-threatening form of food poisoning is BOTULISM. Nausea and vomiting begin 12 to 36 hours after eating a toxin-containing food; they are followed by muscle weakness, dryness of the mouth and throat, blurred vision, unsteadiness, and difficulty in swallowing, speaking, and breathing. Immediate hospitalization is the only course.
3. Illness is caused either by the bacteria or by the toxins they produce;neither necessarily indicates its presence by off-color food or by bad odor.

Tips & Warnings

• Try to identify the food, which may be a canned fruit,fish, or vegetable product; the food may be soft, contain gas bubbles, and smell foul. Take the sample of the food you suspect to the hospital.
• Some bacteria that cause food poisoning are carried on the skin. Harmless in small quantities,they can double in number every 20 minutes in improperly stored food.
• Freezing does not kill bacteria; cooking does but doesn't destroy all toxins or spores.