GUIDE: What to Do If You Get Food Poisoning

(SPOT.ph) Getting sick is the last thing you’d want after a night out wining and dining with friends, but it’s a real possibility especially if you consume foods prone to upsetting even the strongest stomachs. Food poisoning sucks, and if you’re reading this, you probably want to get out of your painful predicament real quick, or you know just how bad it can get that you know you want to avoid it.

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What causes food poisoning?

"In most cases of food poisoning, food is contaminated with bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli. Yes, eating raw or undercooked oysters that contain Vibrio can make you sick," said Dr. Elmarie Pineda-Diaz, an Emergency Medicine Specialist from The Medical City. Some food can be cooked thoroughly but preparation can still expose it to harmful bacteria, she added.

Who does food poisoning hit?

Mild to serious symptoms hit those with poisoning and vary from person to person and depending on the germ. Some are lucky to feel sick for only a few hours while some may suffer from symptoms for several days.

"Anyone can get food poisoning by eating contaminated food. However, some people are more likely to become infected than others. It has to do with how much toxicity your body can normally tolerate," Pineda-Diaz said.

"Older people are less able to recognize and eliminate harmful bacteria as they age, also younger children have less developed immune system. [Also] those with a weakened immune system due to diabetes, liver or kidney disease, alcoholism, and HIV/AIDS; and cancer patients," she added.

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What are the symptoms of food poisoning?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the most common symptoms are:

• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain or cramps
• Vomiting
• Fever

Depending on the cause of infection, more serious symptoms may develop:

• Prolonged vomiting leading to dehydration
• Dehydration leading to hospitalization
• Vomiting of blood
• Blood in stools

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How do I survive food poisoning?

"There is no need to seek medical attention right away. It can be managed at home," Pineda-Diaz said.

"Rest is one way to help your body recover from food poisoning. Also, refrain from eating and drinking for several hours after symptoms appear. When you start eating and drinking, try lighter, bland foods like crackers and sports drinks. Sports drinks and water with electrolyte tablets usually relieve mild dehydration," she said.

Pineda-Diaz also recommended the BRAT diet which consists bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast, which are all easy on the stomach.

"Avoid dairy products and fatty foods. [You] may take Probiotics, take stool former, abdominal pain medication, and medications for fever," she added.

"If symptoms persists [for] more than 48 hours," you have to seek medical care, Pineda-Diaz said.

How do I avoid food poisoning?

• Wash your hands, surfaces, and equipment with hot soapy water frequently.
• Wash fresh produce thoroughly
• Separate raw foods from cooked foods in the refrigerator – especially meat and fish
• Cook food thoroughly to a safe temperature
• Promptly freeze or refrigerate perishable foods
• Defrost frozen food in the refrigerator. Cook immediately

The simplest way is to wash your hands and surfaces before, during, and after preparing anything you’re intending to eat. Germs are everywhere—your hands, plates, the kitchen, and cutting boards—so disinfecting is your best bet.

When cooking, separate raw ingredients like meat, seafood, and eggs from food that are ready to eat. Keep raw food away from other items in your grocery cart, kitchen, and refrigerator. And of course, ensure that your food is heated at the right temperature and cooked before serving or consumption.

Any uneaten food should be frozen or refrigerated as soon as possible. Meat and seafood from the market have to be frozen immediately, while cooked leftovers must be refrigerated within 2 hours of cooking.

Lastly, if you’re planning to eat a huge serving of sashimi, raw meat like yukhoe, and oysters, you might want to reconsider. It’s tempting to fill your plate right away (we love a good deal and delicious food as much as you do), but large quantities can leave your stomach upset. Dining at restaurants or anywhere else where you don’t see the preparation process should raise some red flags.

We’re not saying you should abstain from nabbing your fave cuts from that sushi platter at your friend’s birthday party, but it’s best to assess your consumption. Think you’ve had too much? It’s okay to stop or to pace. Don’t think it smells or looks fresh? You don’t have to eat it. Experiencing an ache in your tummy? It’s fine if you stop.