What Are the Different Types of Food Poisoning?

Food poisoning is something of a misnomer. It is more accurate to refer to it as food-borne illness. It usually happens by accident because of pathogens in the food. When you eat the food, the micro-organism gets into your system and causes an infection.

Pathogens get into your food in different ways. Sometimes the food is exposed to contaminated water. Sometimes the person preparing the food doesn't wash their hands before handling it, allowing the food to become contaminated with fecal matter. Sometimes the pathogens are already present in the food and can make you sick if it is undercooked or stored without adequate chiller service Austin TX. In any case, there are three main types of pathogens that can cause food-borne illness.

Viruses

Not all pathogenic viruses can cause disease if they get in your food. However, certain viruses already present in food can cause disease. An example is hepatitis A, which causes disease of the liver. Norovirus is a fairly common, highly contagious, and occasionally fatal food-borne pathogen that sickens approximately 19 million people annually. Other, less common food-borne viruses include astrovirus and rotavirus.

Bacteria

Most food-borne illnesses are caused by bacteria. These microscopic organisms are present throughout the environment. Many are harmless and some are beneficial, but others can cause disease. Some of the most common culprits behind food-borne bacterial infection are salmonella and E. coli. Cooking the food typically kills the bacteria, but cross-contamination of preparing other foods alongside raw meat can spread bacterial infection.

Parasites

A parasite is a creature that lives off a host organism for as long as possible. In the case of food-borne illness, parasites usually take up residence in the digestive tract. Parasitic infection is not as common a cause of food-borne illness as a bacterial infection, and some people are not aware of it because they show no symptoms. However, other people can have serious complications from parasitic infections, especially pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems.

Food poisoning typically causes gastrointestinal complaints as well as headaches and weakness. You should see a doctor immediately for dehydration and other severe symptoms.

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