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As the world starts to lift restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, other common viruses will likely make a return as the general population returns to pre-pandemic activity and behavior. In the UK, for example, by July 2021 cases of norovirus are 72% higher than they were during the same period last year.
With COVID-19 still circulating, people may start to confuse norovirus with coronavirus and vice versa. This may present issues when it comes to diagnosis and treatment. Is it wise to obtain a test, for example? Are there certain home remedies that may be more effective for norovirus than COVID-19? How can you avoid falling ill in the first place?
To help put your mind at rest and make appropriate preparations to deal with these viruses, we’ve put together a handy guide to their primary similarities and differences.
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If you experience these symptoms within 12 hours after consuming anything from this list: raw eggs (including eggnog), uncooked meats (including ground beef), unpasteurized milk or juice products containing apple or pear juices; contact your doctor immediately!
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Many parasites can be transmitted via food. Protozoans including Cyclospora cayetanensis, Cryptosporidium spp., Toxoplasma gondii, and Giardia intestinalis are common foodborne parasites in the U.S. Others include tapeworms Taenia spp and Diphyllobothrium spp., and roundworms such as Anisakis spp. and Trichinella spp. A number of these infectious organisms may also be spread via contaminated soil, water or contact with an infected person.
Of the many known seafood illnesses, Ciguatera Fish Poisoning is the most reported among travelers and occurs when people ingest ciguatoxins. All kinds of reef fish produce the toxin, the following species are most susceptible: red snapper, barracuda, moray eel, parrotfish, grouper, hogfish, kingfish, amberjack, sea bass, sturgeon fish, and coral trout.
Gastroenteritis refers to an infection of the gut and is known as food poisoning when caused by food contaminated with virus(e.g.norovirus), bacteria(e.g salmonella), and parasites(e.g Giardia). Gastroenteritis symptoms range in severity and can start within hours of eating contaminated food.
Scombroid poisoning can occur when consuming improperly preserved fish. The scombroid toxin has been reported in amberjack, bluefish, albacore, Australian salmon, herring, anchovy, mackerel, saury, herring, needlefish. Mahi-mahi, yellowfin tuna, sardine, wahoo, skipjack, and kahawai may also pass scombroid. The toxin acts as a histamine and is produced following the growth of bacteria in improperly stored fish.
Listeria food poisoning symptoms include fever, headache, and tiredness in mild cases, but severe infections can lead to death. Listeria is commonly linked to ready-to-eat foods but occurs in frozen foods as well. Listeria risk is minimized by pasteurization or thoroughly heating food to 165 degrees.
One of the most important organs in your body is your liver. Responsible for detoxification, your liver also helps in digestion and also allows you to store energy. When infected, your liver might be unable to carry out these functions. Hepatitis A is an infection of the liver caused by the Hepatitis A virus (HAV).
If your stomach lining is inflamed, you may be diagnosed with Gastritis. This condition may be acute or chronic but can be treated using acid reducers like antacid, or antibacterial medication if the condition was triggered by bacteria. Chronic gastritis is less common, usually affecting 2 out of 10,000 individuals, while acute gastritis is most commonly reported with 8 cases in every 1,000 individuals.
Cryptosporidiosis is an infection by the Cyclospora cayetanensis parasite that may be transmitted by ingesting food, water, or feces containing the parasite. You may also become infected if you touch your mouth after using the toilet without properly washing your hands. People suffering from cryptosporidiosis often report watery diarrhea.
Inflamed colon (or large intestine) is also referred to as colitis. Colitis can be caused by food poisoning due to disease-causing organisms like Salmonella and Escherichia coli. The condition may also be a result of autoimmune reactions and a shortage of blood supply to the colon. Regardless of its cause, people suffering from colitis normally report symptoms including diarrhea and abdominal pain.
Norovirus infection usually begins with diarrhea and vomiting that are often mistaken for flu, and hence the infection being termed the stomach flu. Norovirus infection can become severe without prompt medical attention. The highly contagious virus can be spread via food, water, contaminated surfaces, and close contact with infected persons.
Physical contamination in food can be a real threat to eaters. Recalls for foreign contaminate can happen for everything from ground beef to cookie dough mix. Contamination can accidentally enter the food supply during manufacturing or when it is being prepared at restaurants and at home.
Food poisoning timeline
The food poisoning timeline can begin immediately, especially if it is a chemical contaminant. For bacterial, viral or parasitic agents that cause food poisoning the start of symptoms will vary from a few hours to a few weeks. The CDC provides the following table of some of the possible contaminants, when you might start to feel symptoms and common ways the organism is spread.
Report food poisoning at iwaspoisoned.com
If you have food poisoning please report it to IWasPoisoned.com. The vast majority of public health agencies in the United States subscribe, as do health officials in many other countries. Our site is trusted by tens of thousands of people each year who have food poisoning and we have caught many outbreaks as a result.
Food poisoning symptoms can depend on a lot of factors
Food poisoning symptoms may range from mild to severe and can differ significantly depending of the contaminant, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The most common symptoms of food poisoning are:
- Upset stomach
- Stomach cramps
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fever
What is food poisoning...
It is illness caused by contaminated food or water. It is very common, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that there are 48 million cases every year in the US. It can be spread through contaminated food or water. It can often resolve within days. Infectious organisms or their toxins are common causes of food poisoning. Food poisoning symptoms may include cramping, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Food poisoning often resolves without treatment. Adequate hydration is an important part of treatment.
Help prevent further incidents of food poisoning.
Each year, millions of people get food poisoning and thousands die
To control nausea and vomiting be sure to avoid solid foods until the vomiting ends.
Taking slow, small sips of liquids can help avoid vomiting and dehydration.
How, when, and if you become ill after eating contaminated food will depend on the ‘bug’, but also the amount of exposure, your age, and your health. Food poisoning can be especially dangerous, and even life-threatening, for people with weakened immune systems.
Often lasting several days, the length of food poisoning will depend on several factors like the kind of bacteria or virus you contracted, and the state of your immune system.
Infectious organisms like bacteria, viruses and parasites are the most common causes of food poisoning.
Food poisoning is caused by eating contaminated food that is handled or cooked incorrectly before it reaches your plate.
Stay hydrated and replenish the fluids your body is losing to diarrhea or vomiting.
Properly restore electrolytes by drinking beverages like Pedialyte, Ceralyte, or Oralyte to prevent dehydration. Sports drinks like Gatorade should not be used because they do not restore the necessary balance.
If you're able to keep down fluids do, slowly introduce foods that are easy to digest like bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast; commonly referred to as the ‘BRAT’ diet.
If you experience symptoms of food poisoning, such as diarrhea or vomiting, drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
You should seek medical attention from your doctor or healthcare provider if you have symptoms including any of the following:
The most common symptoms of food poisoning include nausea, upset stomach, stomach cramps or abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever.
Incorporating vegetables into your diet provides health benefits, especially when you select and prepare them in a safe manner. It is extremely important to add vegetables in your diet because it provides you with nutrients that help you avoid heart disease, stroke, and cancer. To some, eating vegetables help them lose weight.
However, some raw vegetables may have dangerous microorganisms. If food safety procedures are not followed, it can cause food poisoning or worse, viral infections -
Questions:
1. What inspired you to get into your profession?
When I was in college, during breaks I was performing asbestos abatement for a private company. I got paid a lot of money however it was grueling work. We would be toiling in our PPE sweating in 100+heat, in tight and dark spaces, using jackhammers, etc. Once in a while a guy would show up, spend maybe 5 minutes in the danger
zone, collect some samples and get back out. I noticed he wore a suit and drove a new BMW. I asked him what he did and he replied he was...
Millions of people get food poisoning every year, and thousands die. The annual economic cost is in the billions.
Food poisoning often improves without treatment in a few days. During that time you should drink fluids to prevent dehydration. Read more