An Overview of Food Poisoning in Children

In general, children are more susceptible than adults. The reasons that children have such a hard time dealing with food poisoning include an underdeveloped immune system, immature; decrease in body weight; and decreased production of acid in the stomach, which often kills harmful bacteria.

To avoid food poisoning, parents should remain vigilant in three main areas:

1) preparation of healthy foods and protocol

2) recognize the early symptoms of food poisoning

3) stay informed about food recalls

Food Preparation

Food preparation should include washing hands and preparation surfaces such as cutting boards and countertops before and after preparing food. Wash all raw foods under running water before preparing.
 
Symptoms of food poisoning

Contrary to common belief, the early symptoms of food poisoning is rarely immediate and may take between two to eight days after eating contaminated food. Symptoms include natural thirst and hunger, dry mouth, nausea, cramps, vomiting, diarrhea (sometimes bloody). According to the pathogen is involved in a foodborne illness, less common symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, headache, blurred vision, urinary tract infection, and neck stiffness may also occur.

Food Recalls

The simple Internet search can reveal reminders of common foods, such as those related to the April 2013 E. outbreak of a rare strain of bacterial food poisoning, which was found in frozen foods marketed under the brands rich Farm and New Market coli O121. These companies produce foods popular with people under 21 years, as frozen pizza in the oven, sandwiches and appetizers. Other foodborne pathogens that disproportionately affect children include: E. coli 0157, Listeria, Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Shigella gandii Toxoplasma.

COMPLICATIONS

Complications resulting from foodborne illness in children can include chronic renal failure, renal failure, hypertension, gallstones, IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), reactive or chronic arthritis and other disorders neurological and organ damage. One, HUS (hemolytic uremic syndrome), the most serious, causing kidney failure and, hitherto incurable and untreatable.

If you are afraid that your child has food poisoning, see a doctor immediately. The child is young, the terrible potential consequences.