Food poisoning
Introduction
Food poisoning is usually caused by consuming food or drink that
is contaminated with bacteria or viruses. Some food poisoning is
caused by poisons (toxins) from bacteria already in the food. The
salmonella or E. coli group of bacteria, which are found
mainly in meat, are common causes of food poisoning.
Symptoms may develop rapidly (within hours), or they may not
occur until a day or so after eating contaminated food.
Toxic food poisoning is frequently caused by poisons produced by
the staphylococcus group of bacteria. Symptoms usually develop
rapidly, possibly with two to six hours of eating the affected
food.
One of the dangers of food poisoning is loss of body fluids. The
dehydration that results from this fluid loss can be serious if the
fluids are not replaced quickly enough. Dehydration is especially
serious in the very young and the very old, and, in some cases,
treatment may be required in hospital.
Recognition features
There may be:
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Cramping abdominal pains.
- Diarrhoea (possibly bloodstained).
- Headache or fever.
- Features of shock.
- Impaired consciousness.
Your aims
- To encourage the casualty to rest.
- To give the casualty plenty of bland fluids to drink.
- To seek medical help if necessary .
Treatment
- Advise the casualty to lie down and rest. Help them if
necessary.
- Give the casualty plenty of bland fluids to drink and a bowl to
use if they vomit.
- Call a doctor for advice.
If the casualty's condition worsens:
- Dial 999 for an ambulance.
Related topics
Please note:
These hints are no substitute for thorough knowledge of first
aid! St John Ambulance holds first aid
courses throughout the country.