Numerous food-related pathogens can cause poor health or disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, although the food supply in the United States is generally considered safe, food can sometimes be contaminated with germs or infectious agents. The CDC reports that about 76 million Americans develop some sort of food-related illness every year, and pproximately 5,000 people in the United States die from food-related disease each year.
Shigella Infection
According to MayoClinic.com, shigella infection, also known as shigellosis, is an intestinal disease caused by the shigella family of bacteria. Shigella is transmitted by direct contact with bacteria in stool. Shigella infections often develop in child care workers who fail to thoroughly wash their hands after changing diapers or after assisting toddlers with toilet training. In some cases, shigella is passed via contaminated food or beverages. Although anybody can get shigella, shigella infections most commonly occur among children between the ages of 2 and 4. In most cases, a shigella infection self-resolves or goes away on its own within one week. Common signs and symptoms associated with a shigella infection include diarrhea, blood or mucus in your stool, abdominal cramps or discomfort and fever. MayoClinic.com states that shigella-related signs and symptoms usually manifest one to two days after exposure to the bacteria.
Mad Cow Disease
Mad cow disease, also known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy, is a deadly food-related disease. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, states that mad cow disease belongs to a group of progressively degenerative neurological diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, or TSEs. TSE diseases involve long incubation periods where there are no apparent signs of the disease. Common signs and symptoms associated with mad cow disease include delirium or dementia that occurs over the span of several weeks or months, blurred vision, difficulty walking, hallucinations, muscle twitching and stiffness, seizures, nervousness, personality changes and sleep impairment. According to the FDA, mad cow disease is most easily transmitted to humans by the consumption of foods contaminated with the brain or spinal cord of infected cows.
Viral Gastroenteritis
Viral gastroenteritis, also known as the stomach flu, is a food-related disease that can cause severe abdominal discomfort. According to the MedlinePlus website, viral gastroenteritis is inflammation of the stomach and intestines that can lead to diarrhea and vomiting. Gastroenteritis is usually caused by a virus, such as astrovirus, enteric adenovirus, norovirus and rotavirus. These viruses may be transmitted from person to person by contaminated food or drinking water. The MedlinePlus website states that symptoms usually manifest within four to 48 hours after exposure. Common signs and symptoms associated with viral gastroenteritis include abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, chills, clammy skin, excessive sweating, fever, joint stiffness, weight loss and muscle pain. Certain individuals may have a greater risk for viral gastroenteritis, including the young, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems.
