Bacteria and Foodborne Illness
Foodborne illness results from eating food contaminated with bacteria (or their toxins) or other pathogens such as parasites or viruses. The illnesses range from upset stomach to more serious symptoms, including diarrhoea, fever, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and dehydration. Although most foodborne infections are undiagnosed and unreported, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that every year about 76 million people in the United States become ill from pathogens in food. Of these, about 5,000 die.
Causes
Harmful bacteria are the most common causes of foodborne illnesses. Some bacteria may be present on foods when you purchase them. Raw foods are not sterile. Raw meat and poultry may become contaminated during slaughter. Seafood may become contaminated during harvest or through processing. One in 20,000 eggs may be contaminated with Salmonella inside the egg shell. Produce such as lettuce, tomatoes, sprouts, and melons can become contaminated with Salmonella, Shigella, or Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7. Contamination can occur during growing, harvesting, processing, storing, shipping, or final preparation. Sources of contamination are varied; however, these items are grown in the soil and therefore may become contaminated during growth or through processing and distribution. Contamination may also occur during food preparation in the restaurant or in the person's kitchen.
When food is cooked and left out for more than 2 hours at room temperature, bacteria can multiply quickly. Most bacteria grow undetected because they do not produce an "off" odor or change the colour or texture of the food. Freezing food slows or stops bacteria's growth but does not destroy the bacteria. The microbes can become reactivated when the food is thawed. Refrigeration may slow the growth of some bacteria, but thorough cooking is needed to destroy the bacteria.
See also Common Sources of Foodborne Illness
Symptoms
In most cases of foodborne illness, symptoms resemble intestinal flu and may last a few hours or even several days. Symptoms can range from mild to serious and include
- abdominal cramps
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhoea
- fever
- dehydration
Risk Factors
Some people are at greater risk for bacterial infections because of their age or immune status. Young children, pregnant women and their foetuses, the elderly, and people with lowered immunity are at greatest risk.
Complications
Some micro-organisms, such as Listeria monocytogenes and Clostridium botulinum, cause far more serious illness than vomiting or diarrhoea. They can cause spontaneous abortion or death.
In some people, especially children, haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) can result from infection by a particular strain of bacteria, E. coli O157:H7, and can lead to kidney failure and death. HUS is a rare disorder that affects primarily young children between the ages of 1 and 10 years and is the leading cause of acute renal failure in previously healthy children. The child may become infected after consuming a contaminated food, such as meat (especially undercooked ground beef), unpasteurized apple cider or apple juice, or raw sprouts.
The most common symptoms of infection are vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea, which may be bloody. In 5 to 10 percent of cases, HUS develops about 2 to 6 days after the onset of illness. This disease may last from 1 to 15 days and is fatal in 3 to 5 percent of cases. Symptoms of HUS include fever, lethargy, irritability, and pallor. In about half the cases, the disease progresses until the kidneys are unable to remove waste products from the blood and excrete them into the urine (acute renal failure). A decrease in circulating red blood cells and blood platelets and reduced blood flow to organs may lead to multiple organ failure. Seizures, heart failure, inflammation of the pancreas, and diabetes can also result. However, most children recover completely.
You need to see a doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms, with or without gastrointestinal symptoms:
- Signs of shock, such as weak or rapid pulse; shallow breathing; cold, clammy, pale skin; shaking or chills; or chest pain.
- Signs of severe dehydration, such as dry mouth, sticky saliva, decreased urine output, dizziness, fatigue, sunken eyes, low blood pressure, or increased heart rate and breathing.
- Confusion or difficulty reasoning.
Diagnosis
Your doctor may be able to diagnose foodborne illness from a list of what you've recently eaten and results from the proper laboratory tests. Diagnostic tests for foodborne illness should include examination of the feces. A sample of the suspected food, if available, can also be tested for bacteria and their toxins as well as for viruses and parasites.
Treatment
Most cases of foodborne illness are mild and can be treated by increasing fluid intake, either orally or intravenously, to replace lost fluids and electrolytes. In cases with gastrointestinal or neurologic symptoms, people should seek medical attention.
In the most severe situations, such as HUS, the patient may need hospitalization in order to receive supportive nutritional and medical therapy. Maintaining adequate fluid and electrolyte balance and controlling blood pressure are important. Doctors will try to minimize the impact of reduced kidney function. Early dialysis is crucial until the kidneys can function normally again, and blood transfusions may be needed.
