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22 www.hello-philippines.com HEALTH and Lifestyle food November 2017 – No. 21 • UK & Europe Edition
FOOD POISONING
FOOD poisoning can usually term health condition – such You should drink plenty of fluid if
be treated at home without seeking as diabetes or alcoholism you have symptoms of dehydration, Toilets •all underwear, towels and
medical advice. Most people will feel such as feeling thirsty and lightheaded, household linen should be washed
better within a few days. •athletes – they can lose a large or passing dark-coloured urine. It is •keep the U-bend and toilet bowl at 60C (140F) or at 40C (104F) with
amount of body fluid through sweat also important to replace fluid lost after clean by flushing after each use a bleach-based laundry product to
It’s important to when exercising for long periods an episode of diarrhoea. prevent germs from spreading
avoid dehydration by drinking plenty •use a toilet cleaner and brush
of water, even if you can only sip it, as WHAT TO DO Contact your GP if your symptoms every few days •don’t leave laundry in the washing
you need to replace any fluids lost Adults. If you’re at risk of are severe or don’t start to improve in machine – any remaining germs can
through vomiting and diarrhoea. dehydration, drink plenty of fluids such a few days. •limescale should be regularly multiply rapidly
as water or diluted squash. These removed using a descaling product
You should also: are much more effective than large Preventing the spread of infection. If Waste disposal
•rest as much as possible amounts of tea, coffee or fizzy drinks, you have food poisoning, you shouldn’t •keep the toilet seat, handle and
•eat when you feel up to it – sticking which contain caffeine. prepare food for other people and rim clean by using a disinfectant •foot-operated bins are more
to small, light and non-fatty meals If you’re finding it difficult to you should try to keep contact with hygienic because they reduce the risk
at first (bland foods such as toast, keep water down because you’re vulnerable people, such as the elderly Baths and sinks of getting germs onto your hands from
crackers, rice and bananas are good vomiting, try drinking small amounts or very young, to a minimum. touching the bin lid
choices) more frequently. •clean baths and sinks frequently, if
•avoid alcohol, caffeine, fizzy If you are dehydrated, you will Stay off work or school until at least 48 they’re used regularly •always wash your hands after
drinks and spicy and fatty foods need rehydration fluids (available from hours after the last episode of diarrhoea. handling waste material
because they may make you feel worse. pharmacies). •use disinfectant if they’ve been
Overview. Dehydration occurs when Children and infants. Continue If someone you live with has food used by someone who’s ill •throw rubbish away carefully to
your body loses more fluid than you to breastfeed infants at risk of poisoning, you should: avoid attracting vermin and insects
take in. dehydration, or give them other Showers
When the normal water content milk feeds. Older children at risk of •make sure everyone in your Oral rehydration solution (ORS).
of your body is reduced, it upsets the dehydration can be given diluted household (including yourself) washes •clean shower trays frequently, if
balance of minerals (salts and sugar) squash. their hands with soap and warm used regularly Oral rehydration solutions (ORS) are
in your body, which affects the way it Avoid giving fruit juices and water regularly – particularly after recommended for people vulnerable to
functions. carbonated drinks. going to the toilet and before and after •if a shower hasn’t been used for a the effects of dehydration, such as the
Water makes up over two-thirds If an infant or child is already preparing food while, let it run with hot water before elderly and those with a pre-existing
of the healthy human body. It dehydrated, they should be given using it health condition.
lubricates the joints and eyes, aids rehydration fluids (available from •clean surfaces, toilet seats, flush
digestion, flushes out waste and toxins, pharmacies). You might find a teaspoon handles, basins and taps frequently Tiles and shower curtains ORSs are available in sachets from
and keeps the skin healthy. or syringe can be helpful for getting pharmacies. You dissolve them in
Some of the early warning signs fluid into a young child. •make sure everyone has their own •keep tiles and grout in good water to drink and they help replace
of dehydration include: If left untreated, severe dehydration towels and flannels condition salt, glucose and other important
•feeling thirsty and lightheaded can be serious and cause fits (seizures), minerals your body loses through
•a dry mouth brain damage and death. •wash the laundry of the infected •clean shower curtains frequently dehydration.
•tiredness When to see your GP. See your GP person on the hottest washing machine Kitchen
•having dark coloured, strong- if your symptoms continue, despite setting If you have a kidney condition,
smelling urine drinking plenty of fluids, or if you think •ensure food-preparation surfaces some types of oral rehydration salts
•passing urine less often than usual your baby or toddler is dehydrated. How to prevent germs from are clean before use may not be suitable for you. Ask your
A baby may be dehydrated if they: If your GP suspects dehydration, you spreading. Germs can be spread pharmacist or GP for further advice
•have a sunken soft spot (fontanelle) may have a blood test or a urine test to from person to person or by touching •use separate chopping boards for about this.
on their head check the balance of salts (sodium and unclean equipment or surfaces. uncooked food – such as raw meat– and
•have few or no tears when they cry potassium) in your body. food that doesn’t need cooking, like Further treatment. If your
•have fewer wet nappies (nappies Contact your GP, out-of-hours To stop the spread of germs, focus salad leaves symptoms are severe or persistent, or
will feel lighter) service or NHS 111 straight away if you your efforts on cleaning areas in the you are more vulnerable to serious
•are drowsy have any of the following symptoms: house where germs are more likely to •wash and dry your hands after infection (for example, because you are
The body is affected even when you •extreme thirst spread, such as the kitchen and toilet. handling foods such as raw meat elderly or have an underlying health
lose a small amount of fluid. •feeling unusually tired (lethargic) condition), you may need further
What causes dehydration? or confused Use either soap and hot water to •clean surfaces immediately after use treatment.
•not passing urine for eight hours rinse the germs away, or a disinfectant Floors
Dehydration is usually caused by not •rapid heartbeat to kill them. Tests may be carried out on a stool
drinking enough fluid to replace what •dizziness when you stand up that •clean floors regularly with warm sample to find out what it causing
we lose. The climate, the amount doesn’t go away after a few seconds Make sure you dry surfaces such water and detergent to remove visible your symptoms and antibiotics may be
of physical exercise you are doing You should also contact your GP if as worktops and chopping boards dirt prescribed if the results show you have
(particularly in hot weather) and your your baby has had six or more episodes thoroughly after cleaning. Dampness a bacterial infection.
diet can contribute to dehydration. of diarrhoea in the past 24 hours, or if helps any remaining germs to survive •if soiled with vomit, urine or poo,
they have vomited three times or more and, if there’s enough water, multiply. the floor should be cleaned using a Medication to stop you vomiting
You can also become dehydrated as in the past 24 hours. disposable cloth and warm water, then (anti-emetics) may also be prescribed
a result of an illness, such as persistent How much should I drink? Studies You should clean germ hotspots on a disinfected – make sure the floor is dry if your vomiting is particularly severe.
vomiting and diarrhoea, or sweating have tried to establish a recommended regular basis after use, rather than the before allowing children on it
from a fever. daily fluid intake, but it can vary customary once-a-week deep clean. In some cases, you may need to be
depending on the individual and Carpet and soft furnishings admitted to hospital for a few days so
Who is at risk from dehydration? factors such as age, climate and Cleaning aids, such as cloths or you can be monitored and given fluids
physical activity. mops, must be germ-free or they’ll •steam cleaning is effective against directly into a vein (intravenously).
Anyone can become dehydrated, but A good rule is to drink enough spread germs to other surfaces. germs on carpets and furnishings
certain groups are particularly at risk. fluid so that you’re not thirsty for Reporting food poisoning. If you
These include: long periods, and to steadily increase Here are some general cleaning tips •curtains can be cleaned by think your food poisoning has been
your fluid intake when exercising and to help prevent the spread of germs in laundering or disinfected by steam caused by a restaurant or other food
•babies and infants – they have a during hot weather. Passing clear urine your home: cleaning outlet, you can report it to your local
low body weight and are sensitive to (wee) is a good sign that you’re well environmental health department.
even small amounts of fluid loss hydrated. Cloths and sponges Pets and other animals
Environmental health officers may
•older people – they may be •use disposable cloths or paper •keep pet food separate from investigate and, if necessary, ensure
less aware that they are becoming human food that the business involved improves
dehydrated and need to keep drinking towels when possible its standards of hygiene to prevent it
fluids •always wash your hands after happening again.
•reusable cloths should touching animals and their food, toys,
•people with a long- cages and litter trays The Food Standards Agency (FSA)
be disinfected or washed at 60C (140F) provides further details about reporting
•dishes, utensils and tin openers poor hygiene standards in a food
after each use used for pet food should be stored outlet. n NHS Choices
Washing-up brushes separately
•wash brushes in a dishwasher Toys
regularly or clean with detergent and
warm water after each use •clean hard or plastic toys by
washing them and putting them
Mops and buckets away once they’re clean and dry
•use two buckets for mopping – one •some soft toys can be cleaned in
for detergent and the other for rinsing the washing machine
•mops and buckets should be Laundry
cleaned and dried after each use
•wash your hands after handling
dirty laundry
