Health for the Whole Family
July 2014
Food Poisoning: Your Guide to Prevention
Every year millions of people experience symptoms related to food poisoning. Typically, symptoms
are mild; however, in some instances they can escalate and lead to complications such as paralysis,
kidney failure and even death. With symptoms ranging from mild to severe, often it is difficult to
recognize the signs. So, how can you know for sure if your illness is just a minor digestive issue or a
case of food poisoning? Jane- Marie Raley, DO, an osteopathic family physician in Orlando
discusses the signs of food poisoning and provides food safety tips to keep you healthy.
Signs and Symptoms
Are signs of food poisoning immediate? “Not always,” says Dr. Raley. “Symptoms may start
anywhere from a few hours or days after eating foods contaminated with harmful bacteria, such as
salmonella, which is found in contaminated raw meat, eggs or dairy products,” she continues. While
symptoms vary due to the type of bacterial contamination, according to Dr. Raley, sufferers can
expect to experience one or more common symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and
abdominal pain and cramps. While most symptoms are mild and can be treated at home, Dr. Raley
recommends seeking medical attention if you begin experiencing these severe symptoms:
● Frequent episodes of vomiting or vomiting blood
● Severe diarrhea for more than three days
● Blood in bowel movements
● Severe abdominal cramping
● Temperature higher than 101.5 F
● Dehydration signaled by excessive thirst, dry mouth, little or no urination, severe weakness,
dizziness or lightheadedness
● Difficulty speaking
● Trouble swallowing
● Double vision
● Muscle weakness that progresses downward
Food poisoning symptoms often begin to improve on their own within 48 hours. Dr. Raley
recommends visiting your physician for treatment if your symptoms linger or escalate. She also
stresses paying close attention to high-risk groups such as infants, older adults, and people with
suppressed immune systems for signs of severe dehydration, as they may need to be hospitalized in
order to receive intravenous fluids.
Steps to a Smooth Recovery
Food poisoning symptoms can be unbearable. However, there are a few things that you can do to
improve your comfort level and prevent dehydration while you recover. Dr. Raley recommends:
● Sucking on ice chips, taking small frequent sips of water, or drinking clear soda or broths.
Drinking plenty of fluids is important to avoid dehydration.
● Easing back into eating by gradually adding bland, easy-to-digest foods like soda crackers,
toast, gelatin, bananas and rice into your diet.
● Avoiding certain foods and substances, such as dairy products, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine
and fatty or highly seasoned foods, until you feel better.
● Getting plenty of rest.
● Avoiding anti-diarrheal medications (unless prescribed by your physician), as drugs intended
to treat diarrhea may slow elimination of bacteria or toxins from your system and may make
your condition worse.
Tips to Prevent Food Contamination and Poisoning
While there is no guaranteed method to prevent food poisoning, there are a few key steps that you
can take to reduce your risk. Dr. Raley suggests that you:
● Wash your hands well and often with warm, soapy water before and after handling or
preparing food and using hot, soapy water to wash the utensils, cutting board and other
surfaces you use.
● Keep raw meat, poultry, fish and shellfish away from other foods in order to prevent crosscontamination.
● Immerse and rinse fruits, vegetables and pre-packaged salad leaves before eating.
● Use a food thermometer to cook foods to a safe temperature.
● Refrigerate or freeze perishable foods within two hours of purchasing them.
● Thaw foods safely by defrosting them in the refrigerator, in the microwave using the
"defrost" or "50 percent power" setting, or by running cold water over them. Thawing food
on the kitchen counter should be avoided, as food left at room temperature too long may
contain bacteria or toxins that can't be destroyed by cooking.
Food for Thought
“Generally, implementing food safety guidelines and practicing safe hygiene and sound judgment
about uncertain foods is the key to reducing your food poisoning risk and maintaining good health,”
says Dr. Raley. “If you aren't sure if a food has been prepared, served or stored safely, discard it,”
she advises. “Trust your instincts. If there is any type of doubt about your food, just throw it out.”
Preventive medicine is just one aspect of care osteopathic physicians provide. DOs are fully licensed
to prescribe medicine and practice in all specialty areas, including surgery. DOs are trained to
consider the health of the whole person and use their hands to help diagnose and treat their patients.