We’ve all probably been inflicted with a foodborne illness at some point in our lives. They are incredibly painful and unexpected. Adults expect to stay in the bathroom for a long time, hope that over the counter remedies will ease the pain, and sometimes are forced to go to the hospital. Once they get there, they often find that their symptoms are required to go through the cycle, but at least there’s a professional there to assure that the patient is hydrated and stays alive. In the case of an elderly person, small child, or adult with a compromised immune system, death may be unavoidable depending on the severity of the poisoning.

Foodborne illnesses are caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated with bacteria, parasites, or viruses. Harmful chemicals can also cause foodborne illnesses if they have contaminated food during harvesting or processing. Most foodborne infections are undiagnosed and unreported, though the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that every year about 76 million people in the United States become ill from pathogens, or disease-causing substances, in food. Of these people, about 5,000 die.

Some of these can be avoided by identifying the symptoms, the type of illness, and deciding to seek help sooner than later.

Symptoms of a Food Borne Illness

The symptoms of a foodborne illness is very similar to that of the stomach flu virus, which can be just as dangerous. Though it may not last as long, foodborne illnesses can be more violent and excruciatingly painful. These reasons alone are a good reason to go to the emergency ward for relief.

Abdominal cramps – The cramping for a foodborne illness is somewhat unique as it can come in waves, but you may find yourself lying on the floor in fetal position begging for relief about every five or ten minutes. If it stays constant, go to the hospital.

Nausea and vomiting – Many times the illness comes after everything is digested, so you may find yourself dry heaving or even spitting up stomach acid. If you are extricating yellow or bloody substances, seek immediate medical attention.

Diarrhea – This is probably the largest culprit to dehydration, a major problem with foodborne illnesses. If there is blood at any time in the stool, seek immediate medical attention.

Fever – Fevers are common and you should take your temperature. Once you are over 102º, you are dangerously hot and should seek medical attention.

Dehydration – Like we said above, this is one of the largest concerns for medical professionals and can be alleviated through drinking lots of liquids or IV solution administered at the hospital.

Types of Food Borne Illnesses

Some illnesses get more airplay in the media, not because they are more common, but because they are more familiar. Many people can get varying exposures to each of the ailments listed below throughout their lifetimes and not even know that they’ve been run the gamut.

E. coli O157:H7 – This is a bacterial pathogen humans typically get ill from following the consumption of food or water that has been contaminated with microscopic amounts of cow feces. The symptoms are often severe and bloody diarrhea and painful abdominal cramps, without much fever. In 3% to 5% of cases, a complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) can occur several weeks after the initial symptoms. This severe complication includes temporary anemia, profuse bleeding, and kidney failure.

Salmonella – This is also a bacterium that is widespread in the intestines of birds, reptiles and mammals. Humans can catch it via a variety of different foods of animal origin.  The illness typically includes fever, diarrhea and abdominal cramps. For people with poor health or weakened immune systems, it can invade the bloodstream and cause life-threatening infections.

Campylobacter – This is considered the most commonly identified bacterial cause of diarrheal illness in the world. It is a bacterial pathogen that causes fever, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. These bacteria live in the intestines of healthy birds, and most raw poultry meat has Campylobacter on it. Eating undercooked chicken, or other food that has been contaminated with juices dripping from raw chicken is the most frequent source of this infection.

Calicivirus, or Norwalk-like virus – This is also an extremely common, yet fairly underpublicised cause of foodborne illness. It is rarely diagnosed, because the laboratory test is not widely available. It causes an acute gastrointestinal illness, usually with more vomiting than diarrhea, that resolves within two days. Unlike many foodborne pathogens that have animal reservoirs, it is believed that Norwalk-like viruses spread primarily from one infected person to another.  Infected kitchen workers can contaminate a salad or sandwich as they prepare it, if they have the virus on their hands.  Infected fishermen have contaminated oysters as they harvested them.

Listeria – Listeriosis is a serious infection usually caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. The disease primarily affects older adults, pregnant women, newborns, and adults with weakened immune systems. If you develop fever and chills while pregnant or if you are very sick with fever and muscle aches or stiff neck, consult your doctor immediately. A blood or spinal fluid test (to look for the bacteria) will show if you have listeriosis.

Product Liability Lawyers

Contracting these illnesses are very common in places like BBQs and restaurants that may not properly store or prepare their food. I know, it may seem crazy , but it happens. Further, the products that are both grown and manufactured, if not properly handled and transported, can end up with serious contamination over a whole shipment causing people across whole states or sections of the country to become sick. Coming in contact with these instances it is absolutely critical that you inform the CDC immediately to avoid further illness or death.

If you or someone you know has became seriously ill and had to be hospitalized as a result of product contamination, then it is important that you find an experienced Product Liability Attorney to represent you so that you receive the compensation you deserve. Call the Product Recall Attorneys at Phillips Webster for a free consultation.

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