Foodborne illnesses can be severe in elderly, young
Salmonella, hepatitis A and E. coli are caused by ingesting contaminated food products.
Jennifer M. Phelps
News-Leader
July 16, 2006
This interview is with Dr. Donald L. Maples Jr., a doctor of osteopathy and family practice physician at Butterfield Park Medical Center, a Citizens Memorial Healthcare Clinic. He's been with CMH for a year.
Q: What is a foodborne illness?
A: Foodborne illnesses are diseases spread by ingesting contaminated food products.
Q: How is having a foodborne illness different from having food poisoning?
A: These terms are considered interchangeable in most circumstances.
Q: What are some examples of foodborne illnesses, and what foods may they come from?
A: Some of the most common are:
Salmonella, which comes from raw meats, poultry, unpasteurized milk and dairy products, seafoods, fresh produce including sprouts, and foods handled by infected food handlers.
Hepatitis A, which comes from shellfish, salads, cold meats, sandwiches, fruits, vegetables, fruit juices, milk, milk products, and infected food handlers.
E. coli, which comes from undercooked minced meat, unpasteurized milk, lettuce, sprouts and unpasteurized fruit juices.
Listeria, which comes from long shelf-life products stored under improper refrigeration temperatures. Products include deli meat and poultry, smoked sea foods, cheeses and pre-cooked sausage products.
Q: How would someone know if they have a foodborne illness?
A: Typical symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal cramping, fever, headache, vomiting, severe exhaustion and sometimes pus or blood in the stool. Symptoms typically do not develop for several days to weeks.
Q: What should someone do if they suspect they have a foodborne illness?
A: They should see their physician immediately.
Q: How are foodborne illnesses diagnosed/treated?
A: Stool cultures and an examination are typical ways to diagnose foodborne illnesses. Many viral illnesses can be diagnosed clinically. Bed rest and fluid consumption will be the best way to help prevent dehydration, a typical side effect from a foodborne illness.
Q: What can happen to someone if a foodborne illness is left untreated?
A: For most healthy individuals, foodborne illnesses are not long-lasting or life-threatening. However, foodborne illnesses can be severe in the very young, elderly or people with diseases that suppress their immune system.
Q: Do the symptoms of food-born illnesses mimic symptoms associated with any other sicknesses?
A: They can easily mimic many flu-like illnesses.
Q: How can illness sufferers be sure their food made them sick?
A: Only by medical laboratory diagnosis.
