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The Gross Facts About Food Poisoning

Key Points

  • Food poisoning, caused by harmful bacteria, affects approximately 76 million people each year. The most common symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and cramping.
  • E-Coli, one of the common bacteria causing food poisoning, is often found in uncooked hamburger, unpasteurized juices and milk, and sprouts. To avoid it, thoroughly cook meats and wash vegetables.
  • Salmonella, another common bacteria, is found in undercooked meats such as chicken, pork, and fish. It's important to know the recommended cooking times for different meats to prevent salmonella infection.
  • Listeria, a bacteria that can grow at refrigerator temperatures and survive in food-processing plants for years, is often found in packaged hot dogs, fish, deli meats, soft cheese, and produce.
  • Campylobacter is the most common cause of food poisoning in the U.S., often found in unpasteurized milk and undercooked poultry. To prevent food poisoning, cook food thoroughly, avoid cross-contamination, and maintain proper food storage.

If you've ever had food poisoning chances are you'll never forget the symptoms. What sort of bacteria causes food poisoning and how can you avoid a horrible digestive onset of vomiting, diarrhea and other symptoms?

The Gross Facts About Food Poisoning

Key Points

  • Food poisoning, caused by harmful bacteria, affects approximately 76 million people each year. The most common symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and cramping.
  • E-Coli, one of the common bacteria causing food poisoning, is often found in uncooked hamburger, unpasteurized juices and milk, and sprouts. To avoid it, thoroughly cook meats and wash vegetables.
  • Salmonella, another common bacteria, is found in undercooked meats such as chicken, pork, and fish. It's important to know the recommended cooking times for different meats to prevent salmonella infection.
  • Listeria, a bacteria that can grow at refrigerator temperatures and survive in food-processing plants for years, is often found in packaged hot dogs, fish, deli meats, soft cheese, and produce.
  • Campylobacter is the most common cause of food poisoning in the U.S., often found in unpasteurized milk and undercooked poultry. To prevent food poisoning, cook food thoroughly, avoid cross-contamination, and maintain proper food storage.

If you've ever had food poisoning chances are you'll never forget the symptoms. What sort of bacteria causes food poisoning and how can you avoid a horrible digestive onset of vomiting, diarrhea and other symptoms?

Food Poisoning Statistics

Dr. Kristie Leong of Yahoo Voices reports 76 million people are treated at walk-in clinics and emergency rooms for food poisoning each year. Still, what bacteria should we know about and what are the symptoms? Below are the four most common types of food bacteria that lead to food poisoning.

E-Coli

With this bacteria, most will experience diarrhea, cramping and abdominal pain. For those in high-risk categories like the elderly and those with certain medical conditions or a weak immune system, e-coli can be very dangerous.

E-coli is often the result of eating uncooked hamburger, and unpasteurized juices and milk. Sprouts are also common carriers of e-coli so it's best to cook meats thoroughly and wash vegetables completely before consumption. If your symptoms don't subside within 48 to 72 hours or you are in a high-risk category, seek out retail clinics offering emergency care.

Salmonella

With salmonella, symptoms include fever, abdominal pain and cramping, headache, nausea and vomiting. Common sources of salmonella include undercooked meat including chicken, pork and fish. Many areas in the U.S. are warm enough all year round to indulge in outdoor barbecues. FoodSafe.gov offers a great chart on how longs meats and fish should be cooked to avoid salmonella.

It's best to be prepared and know the urgent care centers in your area so if food poisoning occurs, you can seek out immediate treatment. Salmonella may require antibiotics to rid your body of the bacteria.

Listeria

Listeria is a very common bacteria says WebMD and can "grow at refrigerator temperatures." It can also "build up in food-processing plants, where it can survive for years." This is one scary bacteria that invades packaged hot dogs, fish, deli meats, soft cheese and produce.

Symptoms of listeria include muscle aches, fever, nausea and diarrhea. If you suspect listeria poisoning, find an urgent care location so you can receive treatment as soon as symptoms begin. While many people will experience no symptoms, others will experience the above and more severe symptoms. If you have severe headaches, a stiff neck, loss of balance or convulsions, you will need immediate medical care.

Campylobacter

This is the most common type of food poisoning in the U.S. Symptoms usually include diarrhea that subsides within 24 to 48 hours. You may also experience fever, headache, abdominal cramps, muscle pain and vomiting.

Campylobacter can be serious if symptoms don't cease and can even cause appendicitis. Avoid unpasteurized milk and make sure you cook any type of poultry to 180 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid this bacteria. If your symptoms get worse, visit an urgent care center to receive medical treatment by a professional.

Because food poisoning can be risky or deadly for those in high-risk categories, do your best to avoid food poisoning altogether. Do this by cooking food thoroughly and avoid cross-contamination of meats and vegetables. Always use clean dishes for cooked food and wash your hands often while preparing. Store food in clean containers and a good rule of thumb is to keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot. Above all, if you suspect food poisoning and symptoms don't cease, it's best to seek out immediate medical care.

Frequently asked questions

  • What are the symptoms of food poisoning?

    Symptoms of food poisoning can include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramping, fever, nausea, and headaches. The specific symptoms can vary depending on the type of bacteria causing the food poisoning.
  • What are the four most common types of bacteria that cause food poisoning?

    The four most common types of bacteria that cause food poisoning are E-Coli, Salmonella, Listeria, and Campylobacter.
  • How dangerous can E-Coli be and how can it be contracted?

    E-Coli can be very dangerous, especially for those in high-risk categories like the elderly and those with certain medical conditions or a weak immune system. It is often the result of eating uncooked hamburger, and unpasteurized juices and milk. Sprouts are also common carriers of E-Coli.
  • What are the symptoms of Salmonella and how can it be avoided?

    Symptoms of Salmonella include fever, abdominal pain and cramping, headache, nausea, and vomiting. It can be avoided by thoroughly cooking meat including chicken, pork, and fish.
  • What makes Listeria a unique type of bacteria?

    Listeria is unique because it can grow at refrigerator temperatures and can build up in food-processing plants, where it can survive for years. It commonly invades packaged hot dogs, fish, deli meats, soft cheese, and produce.
  • What are the symptoms of Campylobacter and how can it be contracted?

    Symptoms of Campylobacter usually include diarrhea, fever, headache, abdominal cramps, muscle pain, and vomiting. It can be contracted by consuming unpasteurized milk or poultry that has not been cooked to 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • What are some general precautions to avoid food poisoning?

    To avoid food poisoning, it's important to cook food thoroughly, avoid cross-contamination of meats and vegetables, use clean dishes for cooked food, and wash your hands often while preparing food. Additionally, storing food in clean containers and keeping cold foods cold and hot foods hot can help prevent food poisoning.
  • What should one do if they suspect they have food poisoning?

    If you suspect you have food poisoning and symptoms don't cease, it's best to seek out immediate medical care.

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