what is Food poisoning and What to do in suspected food poisoning?

Food poisoning
Food poisoning happens when food eaten is not fresh, kept in the open or gets
contaminated by a food-handler. It can also happen at home if care is not taken
to prepare and store food hygienically. Usually, a number of people get sick at
the same time with food poisoning. The persons who have consumed or eaten
the contaminated food item from the same source, usually at a wedding feast or
public event/festival celebrations have:
--> Often, severe vomiting.
--> Diarrhoea.
--> Abdominal pain.
Contamination of food, leading to food poisoning
can occur in a family kitchen affecting only the
family members. It can also affect a large number
of people simultaneously, where the same food is
cooked in an open or spread out area,that is not
hygienic, and served to all of them at the same
time.
What to do in suspected food
poisoning?
Management of the individual patient is essentially
the same as described for a patient with diarrhoea.
However, it is important to remember that patients
with food-poisoning may have profuse (severe)
vomiting and are in danger of getting dehydrated. Care must be taken to prevent
dehydration; if it is suspected that the patient is developing initial symptoms, care
should be sought immediately from the health worker or health centre.
Ways to prevent food poisoning:
--> Food should always be cooked and stored in a clean environment. Food
handlers should always wash their hands before cooking and serving. Persons
with infected wounds, diarrhoea, dysentery and other infections should avoid
cooking or serving food.
--> One must eat freshly-cooked food as soon as possible after cooking. Left-over
food should be kept in covered utensils in a cool place. It is preferable to keep
food that will be consumed after some time, in a refrigerator.
--> There is a high risk of getting food poisoning from street foods, especially
cut-fruits. It is best not to eat open, unwashed or cut fruits from a street-side

stall. If street food is consumed, one must ensure that it is properly cooked in
hygienic surroundings.
Care should be taken to consume only pasteurised milk and milk products. If not
available, it is best to have freshly boiled milk..
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