FIRST AID FOR FOOD POISONING

Symptoms of food poisoning can occur after a few minutes, a few hours, even 1-2 days after consuming food. Knowing how to provide first aid for food poisoning is an important first step to help prevent serious consequences and avoid endangering life.

Food poisoning (popularly called food poisoning) is a disease caused by eating poisoned food. Food poisoning can occur at any stage of food production, distribution and use. Food can be contaminated from various sources, including: Water, soil or air pollution, as well as unsanitary food storage and preparation.

This article is expertly advised by Nguyen Ngoc Nha Khanh, M.D., Doctor of Emergency Department, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City.

According to estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO), every year there are about 600 million cases of illness recorded (nearly 1/10 of the world’s population) and 420,000 people die from food poisoning. For children under 5 years old, food poisoning accounts for 40% of hospitalizations, with 125,000 deaths annually. ( first )

The cause of food poisoning is pathogenic microorganisms in food such as bacteria, viruses, parasites (or their toxins). According to statistics, the main causes are microorganisms (accounting for 38.7%), natural toxins (28.4%), chemicals (4.2%),… and other causes. In particular, food poisoning caused by chemicals can lead to acute poisoning or long-term diseases such as cancer.

Signs of food poisoning require immediate first aid

Food poisoning can occur within hours or days after eating contaminated food. These symptoms are often non-specific and can be confused with other diseases. Common food poisoning symptoms include:

• Diarrhea
• Nausea or vomiting
• Stomach-ache
• Fever

Botulism poisoning ( caused by Clostridium botulinum Botulism bacteria ) is a form of food poisoning that can cause paralysis and even death if not treated promptly because Botulinum toxin attacks the nervous system. This toxin is often found in honey, improperly preserved foods (home canned), and smoked meats. Symptoms caused by this poisoning: ( 2 )

• The most typical symptom is difficulty moving both sides of the face, down to the neck and then the rest of the body.
• Symptoms in the early stages may include double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, difficulty swallowing, slurred speech, and difficulty speaking.
• Some other non-specific symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain and food poisoning .

Improper food preservation can easily cause Botulism poisoning

Normally, foodborne illnesses heal on their own within 48 hours. However, if you see unusual symptoms such as respiratory failure, consciousness disorders, convulsions, inability to induce vomiting, etc., you should quickly take the patient to the nearest medical facility to take steps. necessary processing.

Especially, when you see long-term symptoms such as digestive disorders that last longer than 2-3 days; bloody stools; bloody diarrhea within 24 hours; Suspected botulism poisoning,… need to quickly take the patient to the nearest medical facility to prevent dangerous complications that can affect life.

First aid steps for food poisoning at home

Food poisoning can happen to anyone immediately after eating contaminated food. Therefore, it is necessary to be equipped with first aid when suffering from food poisoning so that you can quickly help yourself or someone else when unfortunately encountering this situation. First aid options for food poisoning may include:

1. Cause vomiting

Inducing vomiting is often applied to people who show signs of wanting to vomit immediately after eating contaminated food or people who are still conscious and have no symptoms of poisoning. At this time, people with food poisoning need to quickly use all measures to vomit all the food they have eaten. Methods that can be applied include drinking 1 glass of diluted salt water (0.9%) and then using the index finger to hook and pick (commonly known as throat hooking) at the corner of the tongue near the throat to stimulate sensation. vomiting in patients. The patient vomits as much as possible. This helps limit toxins in food from seeping into the body, spreading and causing harm.

Induce vomiting as soon as possible so that the poison does not seep into the body and cause harm

Notes while inducing vomiting:

• If the patient vomits, they need to lie on their side with their head elevated so that the poison does not reflux into the lungs, limiting the risk of death from choking or suffocation.
• For children, the support person needs to practice skillful vomiting movements to avoid scratching the child’s throat.
• For people who have fallen into a coma, vomiting should not be induced because it can easily cause choking or suffocation.

2. Let the patient rest and drink plenty of fluids

If a person with food poisoning vomits and has diarrhea many times, it can cause dehydration. At this time, the patient needs to rest and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.

• If your child vomits, give him small sips of water to rehydrate him.
• If you have diarrhea or just diarrhea, the most important thing is to try to replace lost fluids and salts. At this time, Oresol electrolyte rehydration solution can be used.

3. Drink Oresol

If using oresol solution to rehydrate the patient, the support person needs to read the instructions carefully, mix the water according to the prescribed dosage, do not use the mixed solution for more than 24 hours, do not boil the solution…

In case collective poisoning occurs, it is necessary to divide the oresol solution separately for each person, do not drink it together to avoid people with mild poisoning from becoming more serious.

4. Place the patient on his back with his head low

Observe the patient, if you see difficulty breathing or a feeling of suffocation, use clean hands to pull the patient’s tongue out, avoiding it from falling in, helping the patient breathe easier.

5. Heart rate monitoring

In cases of severe food poisoning, the patient may have signs such as arrhythmia, difficulty breathing or low blood pressure.

6. Take to a medical facility

After conducting the first aid process for food poisoning, including ways to induce vomiting, rehydrate, etc., even if the patient shows signs of consciousness, he or she still needs to be taken to the nearest medical facility for examination and treatment. Take emergency steps when necessary.

Based on the results of clinical assessment, the doctor may prescribe additional techniques such as blood tests, stool cultures, etc. to look for the presence of pathogenic microorganisms, helping to accurately determine the cause. causing food poisoning and appropriate treatment.

Pay attention when detected, during first aid for food poisoning and after recovery

When detecting food poisoning (through the above recognition signs), first aid providers can use sealed bags to store food samples suspected of causing poisoning or food the patient has just vomited for diagnosis. Doctors can quickly determine the exact cause and provide appropriate solutions.

After the poisoning subsides, the patient should note:

• Eat slowly again with bland, easy-to-digest foods such as bread, rice, chicken, bananas, etc.
• Stop eating if nausea returns. Avoid dairy products, raw vegetables, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, fatty or spicy foods for a few days.
• Consider taking acetaminophen to reduce discomfort, but if you have liver disease you should consult a doctor.
• Do not use anti-diarrheal medications because they may slow down the removal of bacteria from the digestive organs.

See more: Instructions on first aid for chemical poisoning properly, promptly and safely .

Prevent food poisoning

Proactively prevent food poisoning and food-borne illnesses in the following ways:

• Wash your hands before eating or preparing food.
• Wash your hands after going to the toilet, changing diapers, smoking, coughing, sneezing, and blowing your nose.
• Wash your hands after touching uncooked food (eggs, raw meat, etc.).
• Use a plastic (instead of wooden) cutting board to cut raw meat.
• Thoroughly clean all surfaces and utensils that come into contact with uncooked food.
• Cook meat and eggs thoroughly before eating.
• Do not eat/drink foods made from eggs, raw/undercooked meat, and unpasteurized dairy products.
• Wash all foods thoroughly before eating.
• Avoid cross-contamination of foods by separating cooked foods and ready-to-eat foods from raw foods and eggs.

Wash fruits and uncooked foods thoroughly before eating

Additionally, some people are at higher risk for foodborne illnesses than others, including:

• Elderly people: Aging is a factor that makes this group susceptible to diseases, including food poisoning. The reason is that the immune system will react more slowly and weaker in the elderly.
• Newborns/young children : At this time, the child’s immune system is still in an “immature” state, not fully developed, so it becomes even more sensitive. When eating/drinking contaminated food, if not handled promptly, improper food poisoning first aid procedures can lead to dangerous complications.
• People with systemic diseases that cause immunodeficiency such as people with diabetes , AIDS, people undergoing cancer treatment (radiation/ chemotherapy ), pregnant women, etc.

In this group of people, it is necessary to take more careful measures to prevent foodborne illness and food poisoning such as not eating old food, not eating food left out at room temperature for more than 4 hours, etc.

24/7 first aid address for food poisoning

Unexpected situations such as difficulty breathing during the night, food poisoning, anaphylactic shock , etc. always require immediate, timely and effective first aid treatment.

Located in a convenient location for transportation, near Tan Son Nhat airport, the Emergency Department of Tam Anh General Hospital (2B Pho Quang, Ward 2, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City) operates 24/24, Always be ready with “red alert” procedures. The Department always coordinates quickly and methodically with all specialties in the hospital and other medical units when needed for the highest goal: to regain the patient’s life.

“Timely – Accurate – Safe – Satisfied” is the message of the Emergency Department to give customers a reassuring experience when choosing Tam Anh General Hospital’s emergency services in emergency situations.