Types of food-borne diseases

We need food to survive. Different foods provide us with different forms of vitamins and minerals that our body needs to function, with a well-rounded diet fulfilling the whole spectrum of nutritional needs. However, most people cannot tend gardens or farms to provide all the food they need for themselves. Most Americans depend on supermarkets and restaurants for the food they need. This also puts the confidence in the food industry in delivering products that are free of food-borne diseases.

Food can become contaminated during different stages of cultivation, handling and preparation. If food is grown in soil or water that is contaminated with fecal matter, bacteria, or viruses that can absorb these dangers as it grows. If it is handled in a way that allows it to come into contact with these dangers, it can lead to infections agents on its outer layer. Finally, when the food is prepared, it should be clean and free of raw animal products like raw meat.

Because of the many ways in which foods may become contaminated, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that food poisoning results in diseases around 76 million annually. So, next time you have a sore stomach, chances are that is poisoning, instead of a stomach flu.

Your food can absorb different viruses, parasites and bacteria that can cause you to suffer symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Viruses that can result in food poisoning include rotavirus, norovirus and hepatitis a. parasites such as giardia and cryptosporidium may also cause you to suffer things like diarrhea and vomiting. There are many different types of bacteria that can cause food-borne diseases, such as:

-Salmonella
-E. coli
-Campylobacter
-Botulism
-Shigella

While many types of food-borne diseases leave your system after a few days to a few weeks, causing nothing more than a stomachache and watery stools, some may last much longer and cause symptoms much more dangerous. For example, botulism affects the nervous system resulting in symptoms such as blurred vision, weakness and inability to move the arms and legs.

Severe poisoning can cause you to miss work and even go to the hospital to help him recover. This can result in lost wages, as well as high medical bills.

You can still learn more on www.health.com  and  http://www.healthfinder.gov/