🦠If you neglect to
- Store food at the appropriate temperature.
- Thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables.
- Clean hands, knives, and cutting boards after handling raw food.
- Cook meat and seafood thoroughly.
- Forget to wash your hands before eating.
Please be aware that these practices can increase the risk of foodborne illnesses.
(Bacteria: Salmonella and E. coli/ Parasites: tiny worms)
🦠These symptoms may occur within a day or a few days:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Watery or bloody diarrhea
- Fever
💡These are the body's way of eliminating toxins💡
While some symptoms may resolve on their own within a few hours or days, others may persist. In such cases, medication can help relieve the symptoms. However, if your symptoms worsen or become severe, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. A doctor will be able to assess your condition and provide appropriate treatment.
Things you can do to alleviate the symptoms (Part 1):
- Stick to plain foods like crackers, rice, and bananas, as they are gentle on the stomach.
- Avoid dairy or fatty foods, caffeine, and alcohol, as they can worsen the symptoms.
- Get plenty of rest to help your body recover.
- Stay hydrated by drinking enough fluids. Drinks like Royal D can help replenish electrolytes and prevent dehydration.
Things you can do to alleviate the symptoms (Part 2):
💊Take appropriate medications based on your symptoms 💊
- Activated charcoal, such as Carbactive®, can purify the intestines by adsorbing impurities and unwanted harmful substances.
- Antidiarrheal medicines like bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol®),diosmectite (Smecta®), and loperamide (Imodium®) can help control diarrhea.
- For children, antidiarrheal medication like racecadotril (Hidrasec®) may be suitable.
- Antiemetics like domperidone (Motilium®) can help relieve nausea and vomiting.
- Antispasmodics such as phloroglucinol (Spasfon®) and hyoscine (Buscopan®) can help relieve belly pain and cramps.
- Antipyretics like paracetamol (Doliprane®) and ibuprofen (Advil®) can help reduce fever.
- Probiotics such as Enterogermina® and Bioflora® can help restore the balance of intestinal flora.
Should I take antibiotics?
Antibiotics are not typically necessary for most cases, even if there is a bacterial infection. Only your pharmacist/doctor can recommend you take these medicines:
- Antibacterial: nifuroxazide (Diaryl®), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim®)
- Antiparasitic: metronidazole (Flagyl®)
To prevent food poisoning, follow these guidelines:
✅Ensure food safety✅
- Keep the refrigerator colder than 4.4°C and the freezer below -18°C.
- Wash fruits and vegetables well.
- Wash hands, knives, and cutting boards after handling raw food.
- Cook meat and seafood thoroughly.
✅Always wash your hands before eating✅
🆘 You should see a doctor if you experience any of the following 🆘
- Having more than 6 loose bowel movements within 24 hours.
- Noticing blood in your vomit or bowel movements.
- Having a persistent fever above 38.5°C that does not improve after a day.
- Experiencing severe abdominal pain.
- Showing signs of dehydration, such as excessive thirst, fatigue, dizziness, or confusion.
- If you are a baby, pregnant, or an elderly person who develops symptoms of food poisoning, it is important to seek medical attention promptly.
It is important to prioritize proper food handling and hygiene to safeguard your health.
1. UpToDate: Patient education: Food poisoning
