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Survival First-Aid: Food Poisoning

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During the holidays it seems that there are warnings everywhere about the dangers of food poisoning as we all gather together at eat. However, this nasty condition is also common during emergencies and disasters when people become desperate enough to eat almost anything regardless of how healthy it is. Food poisoning can be deadly, and even when it is not it leaves you weakened for days and can require others to care for you. Therefore, it is vital to understand how to keep from contracting it, and if worst comes to worst how to help someone survive through that grueling curative process.

Salmonella, E.Coli, Listeria, What is Food Poisoning?

Generally speaking food poisoning isn’t really one particular disease, but rather a catchall term for many kinds of viruses and bacteria that come from contaminated or undercooked food. Salmonella, E. Coli and Listeria are but a few of these agents that can bring about food poisoning, and while they all cause similar symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, fever and chills, weakness etc.) some are more extreme than others. Salmonella, for example, generally requires a fairly large population of bacteria in order to harm you while Listeria can become much more potent even with small numbers infecting you.

In the modern world, you generally contract it by contamination from a factory or large farm that produces the food product or at home when you don’t fully cook eggs, meat, vegetables, or other products. In a survival situation you tend to see contamination from unwashed hands (fecal matter contamination, raw meat/blood, infections already present in the host spreading to others), risky food (expired, already opened and partially rotting) or improper cooking over low-heat campfires. In many ways, it is one of the most common ailments of a disaster particularly for people unused to cooking and eating properly without a bunch of modern conveniences.

How to keep yourself from getting food poisoning

Two key terms here: Cooking and Cleanliness. Food needs to be cooked at the proper temperatures and must not be contaminated by the people doing the cooking or the surrounding environment. Cleanliness is simpler, but it involves honesty on the part of your cooks as anyone who comes down with any illness needs to step aside and let someone else take over. Beyond that, washing with hot water and soap will take care of most common diseases you’re likely to transmit.

It is essential that you kill all the bacteria by cooking meat to the proper temperature.

  • Fresh beef or lamb: 145 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Fresh Pork: 145 degrees  
  • Fresh Chicken: 165 degrees
  • Eggs: 160 degrees, or until yolk and white are firm

Vegetables and fruits need to be washed prior to cutting or preparation to remove dirt, insects/eggs and the bacteria that cling to them. Most other prepared foods (such as bread) mainly need to be watched for signs of contamination or decay, such as mold.

How to treat someone suffering from food poisoning

Some people will rush in with every anti-diuretic and fever breaking pill on the shelf to help the poor suffering patient, but in reality the best solution is to let nature take its course unless symptoms become life threateningly severe. The best thing you can do is to help the person keep a little water down, or if the puking and diarrhea lasts for more than a day some homemade electrolyte solution. Very tiny sips of water every 5 minutes or so once the initial “puking up every bit of food I’ve eaten for the past few days” stage passes will help keep the patient hydrated without triggering another vomiting episode. Try to hold off on eating much of anything for at least a day if possible, but if they really are hungry a few crackers shouldn’t upset their stomach much. Always keep an eye on their fever if they have one: only break it if it peaks over 101 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent excessive water loss due to heat.

For the safety of the caregivers, you need to be particularly careful when handling the person’s waste and any left over food. Bacteria that lead to food poisoning are often transmitted by fecal matter or mouth contact. Beyond that, just wear gloves and a mask to avoid infecting the patient with anything else while they are weakened and try to keep them well hydrated. Only administer anti-diuretics if the situation becomes more severe, such as a fever spiking or if the person becomes severely dehydrated even with constant help.

Food poisoning can be deadly, and even in our modern society it kills some 10,000 people each year. Be sure you know how to treat it so that you won’t suffer the same fate. – Prepared For That

The post Survival First-Aid: Food Poisoning appeared first on The Survival Place Blog.


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