If you’ve ever had food poisoning, you know it is not something to be taken lightly. Though you might not be able to avoid it completely, you can inform yourself and reduce your chances of sickness. Read on for important facts to know about food poisoning that will help you protect yourself and your loved ones.
It Is Extremely Common
Food poisoning happens more frequently than you might think. Every year, millions of people across the globe suffer from it. In the US alone, it’s estimated that one in six Americans experiences food poisoning each year!
There Is No One Single Cause
You might assume that only one type of bacteria or virus causes food poisoning, but that is not the case. Different pathogens, such as Salmonella, E. coli, or Norovirus, can all cause you to fall ill. Parasites, toxins, and certain chemicals can also be culprits.
Symptoms Don’t Always Appear Immediately
One tricky aspect of food poisoning is that symptoms don’t always show up right away. Sometimes, you can start feeling sick within hours; other times, it might take days. For example, the incubation period for salmonella can range from six hours to two weeks. This delay can make it harder to pinpoint the exact source of contamination, so it’s important to not blame the last thing you ate on your illness.
You Can Get It Anywhere, Even at Home
You usually only hear about food poisoning in the context of restaurants and international travel, but contaminated food can be anywhere. While eating out might seem riskier, don’t overlook the potential for food poisoning at home. Contamination can occur through improper handling, undercooking meat, or cross-contamination with other foods in your own kitchen.
Some People Are More at Risk Than Others
Certain groups of people are more susceptible to severe food poisoning. These people include infants, elderly individuals, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems. If you fall into any of these groups, you should be particularly cautious.
Arming yourself with these important facts to know about food poisoning can help you lower your risk of illness. Though nothing is guaranteed, being informed is your best defense.