One of the most common diseases in the summer is food poisoning. Failure to pay attention to hygiene and consumption of products sold outdoors are the main causes of food poisoning.

Yeditepe University Hospitals Infectious Diseases Specialist Prof. Dr. Meral Sönmezoğlu drew attention to food poisoning in these days when air temperatures are rising rapidly and warned against food poisoning in the summer.

Why is there an increase in food poisoning in the summer months?

Over the summer, people begin to spend more time outdoors, and the consumption of food sold outdoors is increasing. With the increase in temperature, toxins produced by bacteria that are not stored under appropriate conditions and multiply on foods that are not prepared under hygienic conditions lead to food poisoning. It is normal for nutrients to produce bacteria and toxins if they remain exposed for more than two hours without being covered. It is necessary to know that all foods sold openly and pre-cooked are risky and not to consume any food sold openly without discrimination.

How does a person know if they have food poisoning?

The picture of severe nausea, vomiting, abdominal pains, and diarrhea shortly after taking a food means poisoning. The person wakes up with severe abdominal pain and vomits in a squirting manner.

Is vomiting a good thing in food poisoning?

Yes. Vomiting is extremely good. Because vomiting means the expulsion of toxin-laden food that the stomach does not allow to pass into the intestines.  But if the vomiting is low, some of the toxins will pass into the intestines. Infection will also occur in the intestines after a while and diarrhea will start with severe abdominal pains such as sprained afterwards.

Which groups are most affected?

Primarily young children and the elderly are extremely susceptible to food poisoning. Apart from that, those who use cortisone may be equally severe in people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients.

Will it cause permanent damage?

A wide variety of bacteria can lead to food poisoning. Some of these bacteria are quickly excreted, while others can lead to gallbladder transport. It remains in the gallbladder and may require removal of the gallbladder after a while. In other words, treatment can lead to much longer-lasting diseases. Since it causes water and electrolyte loss, even the healthiest person can deteriorate his/her general condition so much that he/she cannot go to work or school for two or three days.

How are food poisoning treated?

The biggest mistake in food poisoning is to go to the pharmacy and buy anti-diarrheal, anti-vomiting drugs. This is not okay. Because we want toxins out of the body. Of course, we lose electrolytes when bacteria are excreted from the body. Therefore, in food poisoning and all summer diarrhea, the first thing to do is to rest, and the second is to drink plenty of water. The lost water and electrolyte must be replaced.
 People with shisha need to eat cooked and juicy foods that the intestines can digest and absorb much more easily. No matter how much whole-grain bread and raw vegetables we recommend in normal times, we recommend cooked vegetables and white bread in diarrhea, on the contrary.
 The important point to draw here is not to take medication that stops diarrhea and vomiting. Immediately apply to a hospital. An important point is that the patient cannot eat anything, and if he takes out everything he eats, he should be hospitalized. Because the patient needs to be fed intravenously until the process that he can swallow from his mouth and keep in his stomach begins. Because food poisoning and diarrhea, which seem to be very simple, can cause death. The basic principle in all food poisoning and summer diarrhea is this: Replacing the lost water and electrolyte, if necessary, applying intravenous fluid therapy in the hospital.

How important is hygiene in food poisoning?

The most important point in food poisoning is hygiene. If the person who cooks at home does not pay attention and does not wash his hands, there may be food poisoning. Your hands should be washed before preparing food.

Then can you list the things we need to do to prevent food poisoning?

• Food sold outdoors should never be consumed without making any distinction between them.
• During the preparation of food, hygiene conditions should be taken into consideration and hands should be washed.
• Chicken products should be cooked well above 70 degrees.
• Foods removed from the freezer should not be left at room temperature to thaw but should be kept in the compartment under the freezer.
• After each meal is cooked, it should be heated only once and frozen only once.
• Even if the expiration date has not expired, all food with signs of deterioration should be discarded.
• Even if the expiration date has passed and the smell and appearance are good, the product must be discarded.
• If bacteria are formed in the products we put in the refrigerator, the interior of the cabinet should be cleaned of bacteria and the cabinet should be disinfected at regular intervals. In addition, the inside of the cabinet should never be stuffed, and air circulation should not be prevented.
• Aqueous foods must be kept in the refrigerator with their mouths closed.
• It is not right to wash and store eggs. Instead, it should be stored in closed ovaries, never washed.