Types of food poisoning

1. Bacterial food poisoning. Pathogenic bacteria is the main culprit which produces toxins that harm the body.
2. Non bacterial food poisoning.Chemicals like fertilizers, insecticides and metals cause food poisoning.

How does food poisoning occur?

1. Presence of bacteria in the water.
2. The raw materials for the food may contain toxins.
3. Premises where the food is prepared may contain micro organisms or toxins.
4. Food handlers may have some infectious diseases.
5. Some animals like dogs,rats may contaminate the food.
6. Prepared food is kept in the room temperature for a long time.

Common bacterial food poisonings

1. Salmonella food poisoning. There are three different varieties of salmonella bacteria.(salmonella typhimurium,salmonella cholera suis, salmonella enteritidis) These bacteria are present in milk, milk products and eggs.Symptoms of this food poisoning include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.  Fever is also common.
2. Botulism. This is the dangerous type of food poisoning caused by clostridium botulinum.  The spores of these organisms are seen in the soil and enters the human body through pickles and canned fish etc.
   Vomiting and diarrhea are rare symptoms experienced. Mainly the nervous system is affected.The symptoms starts with double vision,numbness with weakness. Later there will be paralysis with cardiac and respiratory failure ending in death.
3. Staphylococcal food poisoning. It is caused by staphylococcus aureus. These organisms usually cause skin troubles like boils and eruptions. It causes mastitis in cow. Through the milk and milk products it enders and causes gastroenteritis.
   There will be vomiting,abdominal cramps with diarrhea.
4. Closteridium food poisoning. This is caused by closteridium perfringens.They are present in stool,soil and water. They enter the body through,meat,meat dishes and egg etc.If food articles are cooked and kept in room temperature for a long time and heated again before eating can result this food poisoning.
   Symptoms include vomiting ,diarrhoea and abdominal cramps.
5. Bacillus cereus. The spores of these organisms can survive cooking and causes enteritis.
   Diarrhea and vomiting is common in this infection.