What you need to know about food poisoning

Food poisoning can be really scary and you will never know when it’s going to happen. The day before my birthday, my entire family ended up with food poisoning. I spent the early hours of my birthday at the hospital and the rest of it in bed trying to force myself to eat. Please be cautious during the holidays.

Dettol has given me some tips to help you learn more about Salmonella – a bacteria known as a common cause for food poisoning.

About Salmonella

Salmonella is known to contaminate poultry and eggs but shockingly it can be found in many foods such as ground beef, pork, tomatoes, sprouts and peanut butter. There are ways one can protect themselves and ensure that the food their consuming is safe to eat.

Illnesses caused by Salmonella through contaminated eggs and peanut butter continue to make headlines as compared to the many other foodborne illnesses that have declined in the past 15 years. Many people do not know about the possibly deadly food illness and the risk it poses to the human body.

1. Salmonella emanates from a variety of foods not only uncooked poultry and eggs.

Meat, fruits, vegetables, processed foods such as pies are among the wide variety foods you can get Salmonella.

2. Salmonella is an illness which can be deadly if not treated immediately

Most illnesses are treated with just an antibiotic, this is not the case with Salmonella as a deadly virus and may result in a person being hospitalized.

3. For every 1 case of Salmonella reported and confirmed in the laboratory there 30 cases not confirmed

In most cases people who get food poisoning don’t consult with the doctor so never get to know what caused the illness, and these are the more fortunate few who don’t experience the full effects of the virus.

4. Salmonella illness is more common in Summer

There is a greater opportunity for bacteria to contaminate food in warmer weather conditions as opposed to cold weather. Ways in which people can minimise chances of bacteria contaminating food especially if consumed outdoors; is to keep cold food cold and hot food hot. Refrigerate leftovers immediately, don’t leave them for more than 2 hours on a hot day.

5. You can get Salmonella from ‘normal’ looking eggs

In the past Salmonella contamination was due to chicken feces outside the egg-shell but cleaning and inspecting eggs eliminated that problem. However, the current type of Salmonella which has been an epidemic since 1980 is the type that can silently infect the ovaries of healthy appearing hen and contaminate the eggs from the inside.

6. Never eat raw or lightly cooked (runny whites or yolks) eggs

To avoid Salmonella, it helps to cook the egg thoroughly because cooking reduces the bacteria present in the egg.

7. Salmonella is more dangerous for certain people

People with impaired immune systems are at a greater risk of being hospitalized because of Salmonella. All it takes for them to get ill is a small amount of Salmonella bacteria for the full effect, which is not pleasant.

This post was brought to you by Dettol, in the interest of protecting your family from harmful bacteria that have the potential to cause serious illnesses. Visit the Dettol website for tips on family hygiene and more.