What is the difference between food poisoning and food infection?
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At first glance, the terms food poisoning and food infection may seem synonymous, but they refer to different conditions. Both are caused by the ingestion of contaminated food. However, in infection, there is always the presence of some pathogenic microorganism, such as protozoa, bacteria or viruses. Some examples of these infectious agents are bacteria E. Coli e Salmonella Intoxication, on the other hand, is when food is spoiled because it has been stored badly, has passed its expiration date, or has not been prepared following good hygiene practices, and has become contaminated by fungi or bacteria. Learn more about the difference between food poisoning and food infection.
See_also: High RBCs in Urine: What It Means and How to TreatDifference between food poisoning and food infection: symptoms
The symptoms of both intoxication and infection are quite similar, i.e. nausea, vomiting, chills, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, among others. Fever can also occur.
Mild cases of intoxication in healthy people tend to improve with a diet based on cooked food, in small quantities, every 3 hours, and plenty of hydration.It is usually solved within 3 days", says André Ibrahim David, digestive system surgeon at Hospital Samaritano Higienópolis, in São Paulo (SP).
See_also: How many calories should I eat for breakfast?The same precautions apply to infection; however, in this case, if a bacterial infection is suspected, antibiotics may be necessary.
In all cases, if there is high fever, diarrhea with mucus or blood, and severe vomiting without the possibility of oral hydration, patients should seek an emergency room for examination and hydration.
How to avoid it?
Above all, pay close attention to the origin of what you are consuming, the appearance and smell of food and liquids. At the slightest sign of a bad or strange taste, discard the food. Sanitize vegetables and fruit peel with sodium hypochlorite to eliminate possible contamination. To do this, drip two to four drops of the solution with a concentration between 2% and 2.5% for every 1Leave the food for 30 minutes in a closed container and only then use it for consumption.
Read also: How to maintain a healthy diet in winter? Here are some tips
