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Food Poisoning, Bacterial Updated 3/2011

Thomas J. Hansen, MD
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BASICS

  • Description
  • Epidemiology
  • Risk Factors
  • General Prevention
  • Etiology

DIAGNOSIS

  • Signs and Symptoms
  • Tests
  • Differential Diagnosis

TREATMENT

  • Additional Treatment

Ongoing Care

  • Diet
  • Prognosis
  • Complications
The following is an excerpt....
BASICS

Description
  • Food poisoning, also called foodborne infection, is an illness resulting from the consumption of contaminated food.
  • The illness may be produced by bacterial infection or by toxins produced by the bacteria.
  • The most commonly recognized foodborne infections are those caused by the bacteria Campylobacter, Salmonella, and E. coli 0157:H7 (1).
Epidemiology

Incidence

In the US, it is estimated that there are more than 76 million cases of foodborne poisoning annually, resulting in 325,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths (1).

Risk Factors
  • Travel to developing countries
  • Improper food storage or handling
  • Cross-contamination during preparation of food
  • Weakened immune system, pregnancy, very young age
  • Underlying gastrointestinal disorders
  • Patients taking antacids, H-2 blockers, and proton pump inhibitors ...

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