Is Food Poisoning Contagious?

There are over 250 different types of foodborne illnesses. Most of these illnesses are caused by one of the following.

1. Bacteria

Bacteria — which are tiny organisms — can get into the gastrointestinal (GI) tract through contaminated food and bring on symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

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Bacteria can contaminate food in a number of ways:

• You may purchase food that’s already spoiled or contaminated with bacteria.
• Your food may become contaminated at some point during storage or preparation.

This can happen if you don’t wash your hands before preparing or handling food. It can also happen when food comes in contact with a surface contaminated with bacteria.

Improper storage of food, such as keeping food at room temperature or outdoors for too long, can also cause bacteria to grow and multiply rapidly.

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It’s important to refrigerate or freeze food after cooking. Don’t eat food that’s been left sitting out for too long. Keep in mind that contaminated food may taste and smell normal.

Bacteria that can cause food poisoning include:

• Salmonella
• Shigella
• E. coli (some strains, including E. coli O157:H7)
• Listeria
• Campylobacter jejuni
• Staphylococcus aureus (staph)

2. Viruses

Food poisoning caused by viruses can also pass from person to person. A common foodborne virus is norovirus, which causes inflammation in the stomach and intestines.

Hepatitis A is another foodborne illness from a virus. This highly contagious acute liver infection causes inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis A virus can be found in the stool and blood of people who are infected.

If you don’t wash your hands after using the bathroom, it’s possible to pass the virus to others through handshakes and other physical contact. You may also spread the virus to others if you prepare food or drinks with contaminated hands.

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Contagious foodborne viruses also spread through indirect contact. Throughout the course of a day, you may touch several surfaces with contaminated hands. These include light switches, counters, phones, and door handles. Anyone who touches these surfaces may become ill if they put their hands near their mouth.

Bacteria and viruses can live outside the body on hard surfaces for hours, and sometimes days. Salmonella and campylobacter can live on surfaces for up to four hours, whereas the norovirus can survive on surfaces for weeks.

3. Parasites

Parasites that can cause food poisoning include:

• Giardia duodenalis (formerly known as G. lamblia)
• Cryptosporidium parvum
• Cyclospora cayetanensis
• Toxoplasma gondii
• Trichinella spiralis
• Taenia saginata
• Taenia solium

Parasites are organisms that range in size. Some are microscopic, but others, such as parasite worms, may be visible to the naked eye. These organisms live in or on other organisms (called a host) and receive nutrients from this host.

When present, these organisms are found usually in the stool of humans and animals. They can transfer into your body when you eat contaminated food, drink contaminated water, or put anything in your mouth that’s come in contact with the feces of an infected person or animal.

You can spread this type of food poisoning through physical contact or by preparing food with contaminated hands.

Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Kitchens