Have you ever had a stomach ache or diarrhea after eating snacks outside? It can be a symptom of poisoning from food contaminants. If not cooked properly, fresh food, such as red meat, often becomes a home for harmful bacteria such as Escherichia coli. The other types of bacteria, such as Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus, are the most common poisoning causes. To avoid food poisoning, learn about these 3 types of bacteria and how to fight them.
Symptoms of food poisoning
Food poisoning is generally not fatal, but you should not take this condition lightly. In some cases, food poisoning could cause serious health problems. The reason is that anyone can experience it, but children and infants are more vulnerable to experiencing harmful effects due to this condition.
Symptoms of food poisoning can appear immediately or several days after consuming contaminated food. These are the following food poisoning symptoms to watch out for:
- Body feels weak
- Nausea and vomiting
- No appetite
- Abdominal pain or cramps
- Diarrhea
- A fever
- Headache
In more serious cases, symptoms that may occur are severe diarrhea and vomiting, fever over 100 degrees Fahrenheit (39 degrees Celsius), difficulty speaking, and blood in the urine (hematuria).
Types of bacteria that cause food poisoning
1. Escherichia coli
E. coli usually lives in undercooked meat, unpasteurized whole milk, and contaminated water. Some strains of this bacteria can have severe consequences for poisoning outbreaks.
To avoid E. coli poisoning, wash your hands, cook meat thoroughly, and avoid unpasteurized milk and contaminated water.
2. Salmonella
This bacteria can live in the intestinal tract of humans and animals. It can quickly spread through undercooked meat, eggs, and chicken dishes. This group of bacteria causes a dangerous salmonellosis infection. The most common symptom of food poisoning caused by this bacteria is diarrhea.
Dirty cookware surfaces, especially if used for raw ingredients, should not be used on cooked food before washing. This is because it could cause cross-contamination, which is the source of the spread of Salmonella.
3. Staphylococcus aureus
Staphylococcus aureus is a type of bacteria commonly found on the surface of the skin, nostrils, and pharynx in the bodies of humans and animals. Symptoms caused by this infection include diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramps, nausea, and vomiting. These bacteria are usually found in foods handled directly or in contact with the hands, such as salads, sandwiches, bread, and pastries.
Cooking until fully cooked can eradicate Staphylococcus bacteria, but the poison is heat resistant and cannot be removed. So use hand protection or wash with soap before preparing food.