Consultancy Corner: 'Maintain proper hygiene to avoid food poisoning'

Food poisoning or food borne illness is caused by contaminated food. The most common causes include infectious organisms like bacteria, viruses and parasites and their toxins.

Contamination of food can occur at any point of production, consumption- growing, harvesting, processing, storing, shipping or preparing. Cross-contamination, the transfer of harmful organisms from one surface to another, is often the cause, especially in case of raw, ready-to-eat foods.

A doctor will perform a physical exam, looking for signs of dehydration and may conduct diagnostic tests as required, such as a blood test, stool culture or examination to identify the cause and confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment for food poisoning generally depends on the source of the illness, if known, and the severity of your symptoms. For most people, the illness resolves without treatment within a few days, though some types of food poisoning may last longer.

Treatment of food poisoning mostly includes- replacement of fluids and antibiotics.

Prevention: Wash your hands well with warm, soapy water before and after handling or preparing food. Wash utensils, cutting boards and other surfaces you use. Keep raw foods separate from ready-to-eat foods. You can kill harmful organisms in most foods by cooking them to the right temperature. Re-heating to an optimum temperature is important. Refrigerate or freeze perishable foods promptly — within two hours of purchasing or preparing them. If you aren’t sure if a food has been prepared, served or stored safely, discard it. Food left at room temperature too long may contain bacteria or toxins that can’t be destroyed by cooking. Even if it looks and smells fine, it may not be safe to eat.

Food poisoning often improves without treatment within 48 hours.

To help keep yourself more comfortable and prevent dehydration while you recover, try the following: Let your stomach settle. Stop eating and drinking for a few hours. Try sucking on ice chips or taking small sips of water regularly. You’re getting enough fluid when you’re urinating normally, and your urine is clear and not dark. Ease back into eating. Gradually begin to eat bland, low-fat, easy-to-digest foods, such as soda crackers, toast, bananas and rice. Stop eating if your nausea returns. Avoid certain foods and substances until you’re feeling better. These include dairy products, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, and fatty or highly seasoned foods. Rest. The illness and dehydration can weaken and tire you.