Food Poisoning

Eat some potato salad left unrefrigerated, or have some luncheon meat handled by someone with unwashed hands, and you may find out what stomach rebellion is all about.

Food poisoning may be the result of eating food or drinking water that's been contaminated with infectious bacteria. Some bacteria work by secreting toxins that affect the whole body, including the digestive tract. Others work by directly attacking the lining of the intestines. Typically you'll experience abdominal cramps, diarrhea or vomiting within 24 to 48 hours after dining; you may also experience sweating, itching or even a slight fever. These symptoms usually end after a day or two.

Food poisoning can strike anyone. "How you feel can range widely, depending on the type of bacteria you are infected with and your own state of health," says William B. Ruderman, M.D., chairman of the Department of Gastroenterology at the Cleveland Clinic-Florida in Fort Lauderdale. It usually hits hardest when your immune system is already weak from previous illness or immunity-weakening drugs.

When you find yourself infected with bacteria or a virus that causes food poisoning, you may simply have to be miserable for a short time, until your immune system responds and fights off the infection, says Dr. Ruderman. But as bad as that spell may be, there are some things that you can do to coddle your innards while you wait for the misery to pass.

Drink Water. "You are losing liquids very quickly when you have food poisoning. Therefore, it is extremely important to replenish your system," says Joseph Madden, Ph.D., director of the Division of Microbiology at the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, a branch of the Food and Drug Administration in Washington, D.C.

"Start with a few sips of water," says Dr. Ruderman. "Once you can keep water down, it is better to take in fluids containing sugar, because they are better absorbed by the body." Try clear fruit juices. If vomiting is a problem, though, wait several hours before taking in liquids.

Slurp on a sports drink. Drinks like Gatorade contain electrolytes, which are essential elements such as potassium and sodium that influence the way water is distributed throughout your body. "When you're vomiting or having diarrhea, these elements get lost along with liquid during dehydration," says Dr. Madden. "The sports drinks like Gatorade help replenish these necessary elements as well as rehydrate your body with water." Rehydration is more important than replacement of electrolytes, so sports drinks can be diluted 50-50 with water.

When to See the Doctor

Most cases of food poisoning don't require medical attention. Doctors say that in a day or two, your vomiting, diarrhea, cramps and other below-the-belt discomfort should ease, and you'll be back to normal.

However, if you have any of the following warning signs, which could signal a more significant problem, it's wise to see your doctor.

  • Prolonged inability to hold down fluids
  • High fever
  • Abdominal cramps that are worsening
  • Bloody diarrhea
  • Prolonged symptoms that don't improve after 24 to 48 hours

Be a Bacteria-Banishing Cook

With a little care in the kitchen, you may never experience food poisoning. Food needs to be cooled, cooked and reheated properly to prevent microbe contamination. Here are some kitchen-wise tips from the experts.

  • Keep your refrigerator at 40°F or below and your freezer at 0° to stop bacteria from multiplying.
  • It's best to throw out fish, meat or poultry that has been in the refrigerator for more than four days. For longer storage, you should use the freezer. Be sure to read labels on processed foods to find the correct storage times.
  • To keep juices from dripping on other foods stored in the refrigerator put a plate under raw meat, poultry and fish.
  • When storing leftovers, divide them into small, shallow containers for quick cooling.
  • Make sure leftovers are thoroughly reheated. "Leftovers need to be heated to a temperature as hot as or even hotter than they were originally cooked at," says Joseph Madden, Ph.D., director of the Division of Microbiology at the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, a branch of the Food and Drug Administration in Washington, D.C. "This is the best way to kill the bacteria that may have multiplied since the original cooking of the food."
  • Any food being prepared in the microwave should be rotated for even cooking. Microwaves can sometimes leave cold spots in food, which harbor bacteria.
  • Frozen food should be thawed in the refrigerator, the microwave or a wrapped package under cold water--not by leaving it on the counter. Bacteria grow very quickly when food is thawed on a countertop.
  • Scrub counters with warm, soapy water and bleach to combat countertop bacteria.
  • Use a plastic cutting board instead of a wooden one. Be sure to thoroughly clean the cutting board after you've finished using it. Better yet: Use two cutting boards-one for meat and one for vegetables.
  • Kitchen towels, sponges and cloths are full of bacteria. Wash or replace them often to keep the bacteria out of the kitchen.
  • Scrub vegetables before you use them. Harmful bacteria are sometimes found in the soil where root vegetables have grown, but thorough cleaning will make the vegetables safe to eat.
  • And if you've been feeling sick and you suspect that you may have food poisoning, you should avoid kitchen duty completely. "Even if a person has a mild case of food poisoning, doing food preparation can cause contamination for an entire household," explains Judith Alsop, Pharm.D., coordinator for the Poison Control Center in Sacramento, California.

Relax. "Most of the time, food poisoning problems tend to resolve themselves without needing intervention," says Dr. Ruderman. Once your body's immune system takes over, relief is on the way, and you'll be feeling better soon. Just rest and drink fluids, and when you feel a little better, start to establish a diet.

Leave the over-the-counter drugs on the counter. If you feel the urge to reach for an antacid, stop yourself. "They don't really help," says Dr. Ruderman. If you're suffering from traveler's diarrhea, however, Pepto-Bismol is beneficial for relieving the symptoms until you feel better.

Ease into a bland diet. When you feel ready to begin eating, a bland diet is recommended. This means eating easily digestible foods such as cereal, pudding or chicken soup. Be sure to avoid foods that are fried, smoked or salty as well as raw vegetables, pastries, preserves, candies, alcohol and spices and condiments.

Get a lift from a sugary drink. If you're feeling weak, sip on a flat soft drink. "The advantage of soda is that it has sugar in it," says Dr. Ruderman. "This will give you some energy."

Have you or a family member had an experience with this? Help others by sharing your story now.

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