Remember the last time you ate something that didn’t feel quite right? Did you stop? If you’re like me, probably not. The leftovers from that great dinner you had a couple of days ago couldn’t possibly do you any harm, right? Just a couple hours later things start to escalate and that’s when the trouble starts.
It’s been estimated that the number one cause of missed days at work is food poisoning. What you may have described to your boss as a 24 hour flu or just a stomach bug could quite likely have been food poisoning. Food poisoning is caused by consuming improperly cooked or stored food or drink. Bacteria is everywhere in our life but given enough time and the right temperature, the bacteria can soon reach toxic levels.
Sometimes it can be difficult to tell if you have food poisoning or maybe something else. Allergies seem to be blamed for a lot of discomfort these days as well as alcohol consumption. If you ask around and do a little detective work with the other people who ate or drank the same things you can narrow it down a little.
Some types of foods are more likely than others to cause food poisoning. Raw food, animal products and unwashed vegetables are the most likely sources of germs that make you sick. Eggs, poultry, seafood and unpasteurized milk are the most likely animal based products that you have to watch out for.
Salmonella is a bacteria that is one of the most common causes of food poisoning. It is usually passed on to humans from animal products such as meat or poultry but most often by undercooked chicken or turkey. Even if you’re careful to cook poultry thoroughly, salmonella bacteria can be passed on to other foods by surfaces like cutting boards or counter tops.
Although most people recover from food poisoning in a relatively short time, in some cases food poisoning can lead to more serious health disorders and in extreme cases food poisoning can even be fatal. To prevent infection try to stay away from raw or undercooked chicken or meat. Cooking foods at the proper temperature will eliminate the bacteria that causes infection. Also, make sure you wash your hand and cooking surfaces frequently to avoid the contamination that can occur if you’re using the same utensils for several dishes.
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