Lately, many scientific pieces of research are examining the benefits that bacteria in the intestinal tract brings.

However, what if bad bacteria find a way to your gastrointestinal tract? What will happen?

Millions of people in the US and around the world get affected by foodborne illnesses every year.

It’s estimated that 1 in 6 individuals will get seriously sick because of something they ate.

Despite the fact that there are many different forms of food poisoning that exist, a handful of pathogens are suspected for at least 90% of foodborne diseases.

In this post, you’ll learn the four most common diseases you get from food and how to manage them.

4 Most Common Diseases You Can Get From Food:

1. Norovirus Diseases.

Foodborne diseases caused by the Norwalk virus are very common.

In fact, it’s estimated that about one third of the cases of food poisoning reported in the United States are caused by the Norwalk virus.

It’s thought to be responsible for as many as one in every five food poisoning cases.

Although there are a lot of bacteria and other viruses that cause food poisoning, this virus is a particularly serious illness because it’s able to live in an animal’s intestinal tract and reproduce rapidly without the need for a host.

This means that an infected animal can easily multiply the virus to very large numbers.

The Norwalk virus has several ways to spread from one animal to another.

It’s very contagious and can be carried from an infected animal to a new one by way of their feces, which often contains the virus and other organisms. Another way is through direct contact with a contaminated object, such as a raw cut of meat or other animal parts that have been contaminated.

Hence, a person could get the virus from touching contaminated animals as well. The symptoms of the Norwalk virus include vomiting, diarrhea sweating, and bleeding diarrhea.

Some people may also exhibit abnormal body movements, such as staggering and twitching. Animals may also seem less active than normal or may not eat at all.

It can also result in death within a few weeks, but in most cases, the disease may be treated and cured within a few days.

Here are some ways to prevent being infected by the Norovirus:

Use soap and warm water to wash your hands before preparing food.

Clean and disinfect all food preparation equipment.

Shellfish, fruits, and vegetables must be washed and cooked thoroughly since they’re the ones most commonly contaminated.

2. Salmonella Diseases.

Salmonella is bacteria that can easily be transmitted from one person to another through eating contaminated food.

When you have Salmonella, it’ll grow in your intestines and go on to infect any other person that touches your infected food.

Salmonella can also be passed directly through sneezing, coughing, and other indirect methods.

Because of the serious nature of this illness, you must be aware of what you and your family are eating.

Many people who suffer from Salmonella caused foodborne illnesses are rendered sick for weeks, sometimes even months.

If your child, any family member, or you have a problem, it’s important that you take them or yourself to the doctor immediately so the symptoms are immediately addressed, allowing you or your family to have the best chance for treatment.

To help prevent catching Salmonella, it’s important to make sure that you buy organic foods and make sure that you get your kids to eat healthy food all the time.

Almost any food can be contaminated by Salmonella, including nuts, spices, vegetables, fruits, cheese, unpasteurized juice or milk, eggs, poultry, and meats.

In addition to that, here’s how you can prevent Salmonella infection:

Avoid high risk foods like unpasteurized milk, undercooked poultry or ground beef, and raw or lightly cooked eggs.

Before and after preparing your food, clean surfaces and hands with soap and warm water.

Practice safe food storage.

Cook foods by using a safe internal temperature. To make sure that foods are really cooked, use a meat thermometer.

3. Campylobacter Diseases.

The most commonly reported campylobacteriosis symptoms are diarrhea, nausea, fever, and abdominal pain and distention.

Symptoms of foodborne Campylobacter outbreaks are usually not consistent across all people exposed to the contaminated food.

The most common symptom is diarrhea that occurs within eight to ten days after eating a contaminated food source.

Foodborne illnesses caused by Campylobs is a serious threat to public health. Although most campylobacteriosis cases aren’t fatal, they can still have serious consequences.

Untreated diarrhea can result in dehydration or malnutrition, even leading to death.

Campylobacter infections cause more severe consequences in people with underlying medical conditions such as HIV AIDS or kidney disease.

Untreated illnesses can also lead to dehydration and kidney failure in people with compromised immune systems.

It may also increase the risk of death in those with pre existing cardiac or respiratory problems, diabetes, and kidney issues.

Campylobacteria illnesses are treated with antibiotics. Treatment may include hospitalization, intravenous fluids, or administration of a surgical course of antibiotics.

To avoid Campylobacter infection, do the following:

Use separate cutting boards for raw meat and fresh vegetables and fruits.

After preparing raw meat of any type, clean all utensils, countertops, and cutting boards.

Practice proper hand washing.

4. E. coli Diseases.

The bacterium E. coli, which is responsible for creating a vast number of food poisoning and death cases across the globe, is found in a number of common foods.

It can be found in meats, like beef and pork, as well as dairy products, such as milk. It can also be found in foods like poultry and eggs.

The risk associated with these types of foodstuffs lies not only in the quantity but also in the quality of ingredients.

To avoid E. coli infection, do the following:

Make sure the food you consume is cooked properly.

If you find any strange spots in the raw food, don’t consume it. For instance, if you see blood or black spots on meat, don’t eat it.

If you find any unusual odors on the raw food, don’t consume it.

Foodborne Diseases Should Be Taken Seriously!

Foodborne diseases are one of the most serious types of diseases that can occur in humans.

However, many people don’t understand how serious they can be or why they even need to concern themselves with this type of disease.

A lot of people think that foodborne illnesses, such as the ones mentioned and discussed above, won’t affect them, but the truth is, if we are not careful they really will affect anyone.

This article is not meant to promote fear, but to open people’s eyes and give knowledge. However, we strongly advise that any decision you make regarding your health should be first consulted with your doctor. If you feel any symptoms you should immediately consult with your doctor.

People need to become educated about what can be found in food and the fact that it’s important to only eat organic, fresh, and clean foods to stay safe. That’s how they have the tools to stay healthy and safe.

Not with fear, but with rational reasoning based on knowledge.