// BEGIN editorial data
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Health_FoodPoisoning.ID = "Health_FoodPoisoning";
Health_FoodPoisoning.ID_WB = 6559545;
Health_FoodPoisoning.sPubDate = "1/7/2005 9:13:28 PM GMT";
Health_FoodPoisoning.navsectionID = "3034550"
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Health_FoodPoisoning.appHeader = "Q & A|Food poisoning";
Health_FoodPoisoning.appFooter = "Source: NIH";
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Health_FoodPoisoning[i++] = new Array("","What is food poisoning?","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
Health_FoodPoisoning[i-1].body = "Food poisoning is the result of eating organisms or toxins in contaminated food. Most cases of food poisoning are caused by common bacteria like Staphylococcus or E. coli.";

Health_FoodPoisoning[i++] = new Array("","What causes it?","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
Health_FoodPoisoning[i-1].body = "Food poisoning tends to occur at picnics, in school cafeterias and at large social functions. These are situations in which food may be left unrefrigerated for too long or sanitary food preparation techniques may not be used. Food poisoning is often caused by undercooked meats or dairy products (such as mayonnaise mixed in coleslaw or potato salad) that have sat out for too long.";

Health_FoodPoisoning[i++] = new Array("","How common is it?","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
Health_FoodPoisoning[i-1].body = "Even though food poisoning is relatively rare in the United States, it affects between 60 and 80 million people worldwide each year and results in approximately 6 to 8 million deaths.";

Health_FoodPoisoning[i++] = new Array("","Who is at risk?","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
Health_FoodPoisoning[i-1].body = "Infants and elderly people face the greatest risk for food poisoning. People with serious medical conditions, like kidney disease, diabetes or a weakened immune system, are also at a higher risk. Traveling outside the United States to areas where there is more exposure to organisms that cause food poisoning can also increase a person’s risk. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should be especially careful.";

Health_FoodPoisoning[i++] = new Array("","What are the symptoms?","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
Health_FoodPoisoning[i-1].body = "Symptoms of the most common types of food poisoning generally start within 2 to 6 hours of eating the contaminated food. That time may be longer (even a number of days) or shorter, depending on the toxin or organism responsible for the food poisoning. Possible symptoms include:<p><ul><li>Nausea and vomiting <br><li>Abdominal cramps <br><li>Diarrhea (may be bloody) <br><li>Fever and chills <br><li>Weakness (may be serious and lead to respiratory arrest, as in the case of botulism) <br><li>Headache</ul><p><b>Note:</b> Botulism is a very serious form of food poisoning that can be fatal. It most often arises from improper home canning.";

Health_FoodPoisoning[i++] = new Array("","How is it diagnosed?","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
Health_FoodPoisoning[i-1].body = "A healthcare provider will check for signs and symptoms of food poisoning, such as stomach problems and dehydration. They will also ask about foods that were eaten recently.<p>In rare but possibly serious cases, your doctor may order one or more of the following procedures:<p><ul><li>Sigmoidoscopy (putting a thin, tube-like tool into the anus) to look for the source of bleeding or infection if these symptoms do not go away and the cause has not been found. <br><li>Electromyography (a test to measure electric impulses in the muscles) to check for botulism. <br><li>Lumbar puncture (a test of fluid from the spine) if you have signs of a nervous system disorder.</ul>";

Health_FoodPoisoning[i++] = new Array("","How is it treated?","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
Health_FoodPoisoning[i-1].body = "People will usually recover from the most common types of food poisoning within a couple of days. The goal is to avoid dehydration by drinking liquids, except milk or caffeinated beverages, to replace fluids lost by diarrhea and vomiting. Children should be given an electrolyte sold in drugstores. Solid foods, especially dairy, should be avoided until the diarrhea has passed.<p>If you have diarrhea and are unable to drink fluids (for example, due to nausea or vomiting), you may need medical attention and intravenous fluids. This is especially true for young children. If you take diuretics, you need to manage diarrhea carefully. Talk to your doctor -- you may need to stop taking the diuretic while you have the diarrhea. Medications should NEVER be stopped or changed without first talking with your doctor and getting specific instructions.<p>For the most common causes of food poisoning, your doctor will likely not prescribe antibiotics. Antibiotics can actually prolong diarrhea and keep the organism in your body longer. <p>If you have eaten toxins from mushrooms or shellfish, you will need to be seen right away. The emergency room doctor will take steps to empty out your stomach and remove the toxin.";

Health_FoodPoisoning[i++] = new Array("","How is it prevented?","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
Health_FoodPoisoning[i-1].body = "To prevent food poisoning, take the following steps when preparing food: <br><ul><li>Carefully wash your hands and clean dishes and utensils. <br><li>Use a thermometer when cooking. Cook beef to at least 160&deg;F, poultry to at least 180&deg;F and fish to at least 140&deg;F. <br><li>Do not place cooked meat or fish back onto the same plate or container that held the raw meat, unless the container has been thoroughly washed. <br><li>Promptly refrigerate any food you will not be eating right away. Keep the refrigerator set to around 40&deg;F and your freezer at or below 0&deg;F. <br><li>Do not eat meat, poultry, or fish that has been refrigerated uncooked for longer than 1 to 2 days. <br><li>Do not use outdated foods, packaged food with a broken seal, or cans that are bulging or have a dent. <br><li>Do not use foods that have an unusual odor or a spoiled taste.</ul><p><b><li>Other steps to take:</i></b><br><ul><li>If you take care of young children, wash your hands often and dispose of diapers carefully so that bacteria can't spread to other surfaces or people. <br><li>If you make canned food at home, be sure to follow proper canning techniques to prevent botulism. <br><li>Do not feed honey to children under 1 year of age. <br><li>Do not eat wild mushrooms. <br><li>When traveling where contamination is more likely, eat only hot, freshly cooked food. Drink water only if it's been boiled. Do not eat raw vegetables or unpeeled fruit. <br><li>Do not eat shellfish exposed to red tides.<br><li>If you are pregnant or have a weakened immune system, DO NOT eat soft cheeses, especially imported from countries outside the U.S.</ul><p>If other people may have eaten the food that made you sick, let them know. If you think the food was contaminated when you bought it from a store or restaurant, tell the store and your local health department.";

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