Food poisoning

Acute illness

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Food poisoning is a group of illnesses caused by eating contaminated food or drink.

While symptoms can be unpleasant, for some people they can be quite serious.

Types of food poisoning

Most food poisoning occurs from harmful bugs getting into food.

The most common types are:

Bacterial e.g., Salmonella, Campylobacter, E. Coli, Listeria
Viral e.g., Norovirus, Rotavirus, Hepatitis A
Intoxication is caused by the Toxins produced by some bacteria e.g., Staphylococcus Aureus, Bacillus Cereus and Clostridium Perfringens

Sometimes these bacteria and toxins can be spread from person to person, or through contaminated surfaces.

Symptoms

Like gastroenteritis, symptoms can be very mild, or very severe. Sometimes the symptoms appear within a few hours, like in the case of toxins, or can take a few days if infection from a bacteria or virus.

Symptoms often include:

Nausea
Stomach cramps
Diarrhoea
Vomiting
Fever
Headaches

Causes

Poor handwashing technique
Contaminated kitchen utensils
Not cooking or preparing food thoroughly
Not storing food that needs to be chilled under 5 degrees
Someone who is ill handling food
Eating food after its use by date
Cross-contamination from surfaces

Higher-risk foods include

meat, especially undercooked mince and rolled, formed or tenderised meats
raw or undercooked poultry such as chicken, duck and turkey
raw or lightly cooked eggs including foods made from raw eggs such as unpasteurised mayonnaise
smallgoods such as salami and hams
seafood
cooked rice not kept at the correct temperatures
cooked pasta not kept at the correct temperatures
prepared salads such as coleslaw, pasta salads and rice salads
prepared fruit salads
unpasteurised dairy products

What to do if you have food poisoning

People with vomiting and diarrhoea are encouraged to take time off school or work and remain home, and drink plenty of fluids if tolerated.
If you can help it, do not prepare any food while you are unwell, and for 2 days after your symptoms have improved.
If you find it difficult to drink any fluids or have excessive vomiting, nausea, pain or diarrhoea, see your doctor to assess your hydration status. You may be prescribed medicine that helps you feel better.

When to seek medical attention

If symptoms persist for more than 3 days or are very severe
If you are not able to keep fluids down for more than a day
If symptoms include blood or mucus in the vomit or diarrhoea
If the person is at risk of dehydration such as infants and the elderly.
For any of the above consult a doctor as early as possible

Making a complaint

If you believe you have suffered from food poisoning, and you think an investigation is warranted, you can contact the NSW food authority here

http://www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/gp/complaints-about-food

Food poisoning

Burns: Immediate management and treatment

GSH Doctors who provides Acute Illness service

Dr Rosemary Chen

BMed; FRACGP

Acute IllnessAlopecia Areata TreatmentAntenatal CareChild Health ServicesChronic Disease Prevention & ManagementHIV ManagementMental HealthReproductive HealthSexual HealthTravel HealthWomen’s HealthWork Health

Food poisoning

Acute illness

Types of food poisoning

Symptoms

What to do if you have food poisoning

When to seek medical attention

Making a complaint

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