Food Poisoning

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Food poisoning has become quite common these days due to increased consumption of food from outside. Children not only eat burgers, pizza etc but also street made French fries, bun kebab, chips etc. Interestingly, food poisoning has become more common after eating food from high class restaurants. Food poisoning occurs due to eating stale food, left over food, expired food, improperly cooked food and food prepared in unhygienic conditions. Canned juices can also cause food poisoning. The symptoms start within 2-24 hours after eating contaminated food. Initially, there is severe vomiting. The child starts projectile vomiting and cannot tolerate any food. This is accompanied by abdominal pain and fever. This should immediately alert the parents. The vomiting lasts for 3-4 hours with the child unable to eat anything. In this condition, mother should try to give sips of water and ORS; otherwise the child will get dehydrated. Then the diarrhea starts which is very loose and watery. The vomiting then subsides and the diarrhea gets more severe. Abdominal pain also increases.


Food poisoning is caused by microorganisms like E. Coli and Salmonella. They spread in the body via blood, causes toxemia. According to Dr. Mubina Agboatwalla – A Child Specialist in Karachi, the infected child should be taken to the doctor immediately. Not only should dehydration be treated but also antibiotics should be given to treat the infection. Vomiting should also be stopped. It takes 8-12 hours for the symptoms to subside. Intravenous fluids decrease the dehydration. Food poisoning can be prevented by eating home made fresh food. Do not leave food outside overnight. For packaged fruit juices etc always see the expiry date and always smell the food before eating.

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