Nobody expects to get sick from eating food, but one in six Americans will have to deal with a bout of food poisoning this year, according to the website FoodSafety.gov. While most only experience acute complications associated with food poisoning, such as diarrhea or vomiting, some will have long-term effects that will change their health and lives forever.
Food Poisoning
Food poisoning is caused by eating or drinking contaminated foods or beverages. A contaminated food is one that contains a disease-causing pathogen or microbe, such as a bacteria or virus, or poisonous chemical, such as a toxin found in a poisonous mushroom. Food poisonings are most commonly caused by the bacteria E. coli, Campylobacter and Salmonella, and the Norwalk virus. Most cases of food poisoning cause diarrhea, abdominal cramping, fever, nausea or vomiting. These symptoms usually only last for a short period of time. But some infections may lead to more serious problems that can be more chronic.
Kidney Failure
Certain types of E. coli infection attack and destroy your red blood cells, which in turn clogs your kidneys causing kidney failure. This condition is known as hemolytic-uremic syndrome, a life-threatening form of kidney failure. Hemolytic-uremic syndrome most commonly affects children, although it can occur in adults as well. If not caught early enough, hemolytic-uremic syndrome can cause high blood pressure, chronic kidney failure, stroke or coma. To prevent infection with E. coli, wash your hands, keep raw foods separate from cooked foods, cook ground meat to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit and wash your fruits and vegetables under running water.
Arthritis
If you have been infected with Shigella or Salmonella, you may be at risk of developing chronic arthritis. Some people develop a condition known as reactive arthritis, which causes pain in the joints, eye irritation and painful urination, following one of these infections. The reactive arthritis is difficult to treat and can last for months to years, eventually leading to chronic arthritis. Shigella is a bacterial infection spread through food contaminated by a person infected with bacteria. In the U.S., Shigella is most commonly seen in day care centers. Almost any food can be contaminated with Salmonella, according to MedlinePlus. You can reduce your risk of infection by properly handling and cooking your food.
Neurological Damage
Listeria is another bacteria that if ingested can cause long-term effects. A Listeria infection causes meningitis, or inflammation of the brain. If an infant becomes infected with the bacteria it can lead to mental retardation, seizures, paralysis, blindness or deafness. Raw meats and unpasteurized dairy products are the primary source of Listeria. Infection with Campylobacter -- primarily found on raw chicken -- has been associated with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a condition that causes your immune system to attack your nerves.
References
- "USA Today"; Food Poisoning Can Be a Long-Term Problem; January 2008
- FoodSafety.gov: Long-Term Effects
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Food Borne Illness; December 2010
- MayoClinic.com; Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome; December 2010
- MedlinePlus; Salmonella Enterocolitis; Linda Vorvick
- MedlinePlus; Shigellosis; Linda Vorvick
