How long does food poisoning in children and adults

Poisoning caused by food – is a widespread phenomenon, which occurs due to the use of low-quality food. How long is the poisoning depends mainly on the degree of intoxication and the effectiveness of remedial measures.

The nature of the food poisoning

According to statistics, professional help during intoxication treat only a few, and the treatment is carried out mainly at home. The severity of intoxication depends primarily on reason. The more pathogens and toxins ingested into the body, the more intense and longer lasting intoxication. The most dangerous is poisoning caused by the causative agent of botulism, and poison mushrooms. Some of the intoxication is caused by unknown etiology. But regardless of the causes of poisoning are mostly similar symptoms.

Food poisoning in adults occurs primarily by the following scheme:

• sudden onset ailments;
• the massive outbreak (often covers a significant number of victims);
• turbulent flow;
• short duration (often up to three days);
• a favorable outcome (except botulism).

By its nature, intoxication refers to the acute illness. However, in the case of regular consumption of poor quality food with a small amount of toxins the poisoning may be chronic, which occurs less intensively, but at the same time, more long-term.

The types of toxicity

Basically there are two types of food poisoning:

1. Infectious poisoning (bacteria, protozoa, intestinal infections or viruses), which are commonly called food poisoning.
2. Toxic poisoning (poisonous plants, chemical toxins, fungi, etc.).

Intoxication occurs as a result of making poor food sometimes and water that contain in its composition harmful microorganisms, toxins, chemical, animal or vegetable poisons. For example, the risk are:

• poisonous mushrooms or edible mushrooms, but for some reason a mortgage in itself harmful substances (e.g. collected along roads);
• plants containing toxic components (wolf berry, unripe fruits of Solanum, etc.);
• chemicals (e.g., pesticides, various preservatives, dyes, and salts of heavy metals).

The disease is of bacterial nature often occurs if the food contains harmful microorganisms such as Salmonella, botulism, Listeria and a number of others. For this type of poisoning can lead to and staphylococci, Escherichia coli, and some types of viruses such as rotavirus or enterovirus.

For products that may contain infectious microorganisms include:

• dairy products;
• raw meat and improperly prepared meat dishes;
• fish dishes (especially sushi);
• canned food, especially homemade;
• confectionery products containing cream;
• raw eggs;
• perishable products that must be stored in cold conditions;
• products that have expired or defective packaging;
• meals catering, prepared without observance of sanitary norms.

The main symptoms

The severity of symptoms depends on many factors. For example, the great value has quantity of accepted food, the type of pathogen or toxin, overall body condition, age of the victim and other factors. However, almost always marked with signs such as:

• the weakness of the body;
• nausea;
• frequent vomiting;
• diarrhea;
• a slight fever;
• pain and spasms in the stomach and intestines;
• poor appetite;
• low pressure;
• performance cold sweat;
• sometimes the signs of dehydration.

If the poisoning is severe, for example if the infection caused by botulism or salmonellosis, common symptoms may come and these symptoms:

• strong salivation;
• violation of muscle tone;
• headache;
• impaired vision (e.g. diplopia);
• loss of consciousness;
• hallucinations and other disorders of the brain;
• the Central nervous system.

How long does intoxication

The duration of the illness depends on the degree of intoxication and the overall condition of the body. If the victim has chronic disease or the victim is a child or elderly person, even with little contact with harmful toxins in the body character of intoxication can be quite tumultuous and prolonged.

Food poisoning is especially bright can occur in children, pregnant and lactating women, the elderly. A great danger for life intoxication food is for kids aged 0 to 5 years. Therefore, when the poisoning of the people in these categories, it is impossible to self-medicate, and you should immediately consult a doctor.

The symptoms of food poisoning are generally developing quickly (from two hours to one day) since the adoption of the food. In mild cases of intoxication accompanied by General weakness, infrequent urge to vomit and short-term disorder of a chair. How much can vomiting afterpoisoning, again depends on the degree of intoxication. Typically all these unpleasant ailments disappear on their own within two to three days. Body temperature remains largely normal. With vomiting and loose stool the body purifies itself of dangerous toxins. This is followed for two weeks to conduct a sparing diet to restore digestive system. Do not be redundant actions to improve the intestinal microflora.

If the poisoning is moderate, then the symptoms occur in the first 30-40 minutes after infection and expanded for two to three days. At this time, the victim should give first aid, which will help the body get rid of toxins. Otherwise poisoning can cause various complications, such as dehydration.

If the poisoning caused by poisonous mushrooms, the causative agents of botulism or other dangerous microorganisms, the course of intoxication is usually severe. In addition to classic symptoms, can join such serious life threats such as sudden loss of pressure, temperature above 39 °C, diarrhea and vomiting, dyspnea, paralysis or convulsions, changes in the quality of urine. In this case there is a serious danger to the life, therefore, must promptly deliver the patient to the hospital. Before you approach a physician, it is necessary to provide first aid to the patient.

Under favorable course of the disease, the cause of which served as food, infected by pathogenic microbes, the poisoning takes place over weeks. If the liver is healthy, the recovery occurs without complications.

Possible aggravating factors in the course of intoxication

As a result of ongoing vomiting or liquid stool often there is the risk of dehydration. The body can lose up to 10% of the liquid that is extremely dangerous for life. To avoid this, during intoxication it is necessary to keep drinking regime. Especially need to be careful with the little children who have not yet learned to speak. Ask to drink the kid isn't able, so if the victim is a small child, you must provide it with the necessary amount of liquid. Drink water often and in small portions.

To determine the degree of intoxication is possible, if you observe the symptoms. When acute course of the disease disorder stools and frequent vomiting occur rapidly and in a short time go down. If ailments arise after 6 or more hours after a meal, and acute symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea, etc.) within a few hours, begin to grow, it is likely that intoxication is severe and prolonged. The treatment can take up to 10-14 days and recovery will take another two to three weeks.

If the poisoning is severe, the treatment is a better conductor thoroughly and in a hospital. In this case there are serious violations of the vital organs, so only a doctor can correctly diagnose and solve therapies.

The main stages of treatment

In cases of poisoning caused by poor quality food, you must:

• lavage of the stomach;
• to ensure reception of sorbents (e.g., activated carbon, enterosgel, POLYSORB);
• to support the drinking regime;
• to ensure peace;
• on the first day to refuse to eat.

In the future it is necessary to restore the gastrointestinal tract. For this we need to introduce a special diet, temporarily abandoning fried, spicy and heavy food. You should also eliminate dairy products, fatty meats and fish, sweets, and alcohol. You should consult with a doctor and include probiotics. These drugs are great to help restore balance to the digestive tract.

Prevention of poisoning

To protect yourself and your loved ones, you need to consume only fresh food that had been stored in the right conditions. Meat and fish should be prepared with the observance of technology of cooking. With caution should be treated to dishes that contain raw products, like sushi. Perishable foods to be consumed immediately. You should not cook with the unfamiliar mushrooms, and eat home canning. The process of cooking food needs to be hygienic.