Food intoxication typically refers to a type of illness that is caused from the ingestion of toxins i.e. the exotoxins produced by some micro-organisms such as fungi or bacteria. Food intoxication may also be as a result of consuming naturally toxic foods (Dhama, et.al. 2013). Majorly, food intoxications are caused by bacteria some of them includes Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium botulinum, and Clostridium perfringens . Food infection on the other hand typically refers to the illness the body experiences as a result of consuming foods which contains harmful microbes such as bacteria, viruses and parasites. A good example of such bacteria and viruses causing infections includes Vibrio vulnificus, Salmonella spp, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Hepatitis A, norovirus, Listeria monocytogenes and parasites like Trichinella spiralis (Cliver, Potter & Riemann, 2011).
Example of Food infection
Viruses
Norovirus
Norovirus causes gastroenteritis and the infected victims can eventually die out of severe dehydration if left untreated. Majorly, norovirus infect the fragile i.e. the infants and the old.
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Signs and symptoms
Pain in the abdomen
Increased heart rate, dehydration, general body weakness, vomiting and abnormal fever.
Bacteria
Salmonella spp
This bacteria causes salmonellosis in the intestinal tract. Sometimes the disease is referred to as salmonella infection.
Signs and symptoms
Majorly includes diarrhea, Strong fever and chills.
If not treated, the disease can sometimes disappear on its own or it can end up calling for medical attention
Parasites
Trichinella spiralis
This parasite causes a disease called Trichinosis. The disease may lead to death of an individual if not treated in time.
Signs and Symptoms
Vomiting, fatigue, fever and nausea
One may also experience abdominal discomfort.
Examples of Food intoxication
Mycotoxins
These toxins are generated from the fungal microbes and they cause mycotoxicoses. Mycotoxicoses disease causes loss of an individual if not treated in time.
Signs and symptoms include;
Sneezing, wheezing and coughing
Running nose and watery eyes
Muscle stiffness, pain and body weakness
Mycetism
Also known as mushroom poisoning. This type of intoxication refers to the ingestion of harmful mushroom toxic substances. This toxin causes gastrointestinal irritation ( Graeme, 2014).
Signs and symptoms
Gastrointestinal upsets, vomiting and watery diarrhea.
If not treated, this toxin may lead to kidney and liver failure or even cause jaundice and anemia.
Citrinin
Is a toxin produced from Penicillium citrinum. It causes nephrotoxic, cytotoxic and hepatotoxic effects. High levels of this toxins may cause liver or kidney failure if not treated. This toxins is majorly harmful in poultry.
Signs and symptoms
Increased water consumption rate
Diarrhea
Work cited
Cliver, D. O., Potter, M., & Riemann, H. P. (2011). Foodborne infections and intoxications . Elsevier.
Dhama, K., Rajagunalan, S., Chakraborty, S., Verma, A. K., Kumar, A., Tiwari, R., & Kapoor, S. (2013). Food-borne pathogens of animal origin-diagnosis, prevention, control and their zoonotic significance: a review. Pakistan journal of biological sciences , 16 (20), 1076.
Graeme, K. A. (2014). Mycetism: a review of the recent literature. Journal of medical toxicology , 10 (2), 173-189.
