Types of Food-Borne Illnesses

We need food to survive. Different foods provide us with the different forms of vitamins and minerals that our body needs to function, with a well-rounded diet fulfilling the entire spectrum of nutrient needs. However, most people cannot tend gardens or farms to provide all of the food that they need for themselves. The majority of Americans rely on grocery stores and restaurants to get the food that we need. This also places trust in the food industry to provide us with produce that is free from food-borne illnesses.

Food can become contaminated during several different steps of the growing, handling, and preparation processes. If food is grown in soil or water that is contaminated with fecal matter, bacteria, or viruses, it can absorb these dangers as it grows. If it is handled in a way that allows it to come into contact with these hazards, it can carry the infections agents on its outer layer. Lastly, when food is prepared, it must stay clean and free from raw animal products like uncooked beef.

Because of the many ways in which food can become contaminated, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that food poisoning results in about 76 million illnesses each year. Thus, next time you have an upset stomach, chances are that it is food poisoning rather than a stomach flu.

Your food can absorb different viruses, parasites, and bacteria that can cause you to suffer from symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Viruses that can result in food poisoning include rotaviruses, noroviruses, and hepatitis A. Parasites such as giardia and cryptosporidium can also cause you to suffer from things like diarrhea and vomiting. There are many different types of bacteria that can result in food-borne illnesses, such as:

-Salmonella
-E. coli
-Campylobacter
-Botulism
-Shigella

While many types of food-borne illnesses leave your system after a few days to a few weeks, causing nothing more than an upset stomach and watery stool, some can last much longer and cause much more dangerous symptoms. For instance, botulism affects the nervous system, resulting in symptoms like blurred vision, weakness, and even inability to move the arms and legs.

Severe food poisoning can cause you to miss work and even visit the hospital to help you recover. This can result in lost wages as well as high medical bills.