When traveling to new places, facing food poisoning can be a horrid experience. Therefore, avoiding this should be part of your bucket list of preparations before you travel to new destinations.
In addition, food poisoning can be deadly if you lack the knowledge to handle such an issue. Avoiding it means not only food preparation, but also following proper food safety protocols.
This article will give you some tips on how to deal with and avoid food poisoning effectively.
Avoiding food poisoning starts with understanding its causes
Food poisoning, or foodborne illness, occurs when ingesting food contaminated with harmful organisms. These organisms include:
- Bacteria
- Fungi
- Parasites
- Chemicals
- Toxins
- Viruses
These contaminants are notorious for causing different types of triggering issues in the body. Most of these effects are painful and irritating and may result in deadly consequences if left untreated quickly.
What are the signs of severe food poisoning?
You may encounter odd sensations like stomach pain, intense sweating, or vomiting. Depending on the infection’s origins, these signs may manifest as early as 30 minutes and last eight weeks.
While these could signal food poisoning, they could also be mistaken for common issues, thus delaying treatment. If these symptoms persist in an unbearable state, then it is indeed an indication of severe food poisoning. Below are lists of the severe signs of food poisoning:
- Diarrhea with blood
- Experiencing diarrhea for more than three days
- Having trouble urinating
- Extremely high fever with temperature over 102°F
- Feeling dizzy every time you stand up
- Keep vomiting without liquids
- Very weak or lack of energy
Common causes of food poisoning
Most cases of food poisoning are caused by contaminants that may spread inadvertently to the food you are ingesting. It is also important to note that, as mentioned above, microbes could spread during processing, harvesting, or even shipping. Anyhow, here are some common causes:
- Not cleaning well produce products
- Eating uncooked or raw meat, eggs, fish, seafood, or poultry
- Unpasteurized juices and dairy products
- Poor preparation of certain types of food
- Processed foods that poorly attain food storing standards
Essential tips to avoid food poisoning while traveling
1. Always wash your hands
In your journey, you are subject to bacteria in anything around you. Thus, practice washing your hands regularly during your travel to avoid the risk of food poisoning.
2. Bring a hand sanitizer
If access to soap and water is limited, it is a good idea to always have hand sanitizer on hand. However, choose only sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol content, as this concentration effectively reduces the majority of germs known to cause such poisoning.
3. Beware of street food
While street foods may be enticing, not all countries prioritize food safety practices. When traveling, choose places with a strong reputation for safe food regulations.
4. Appropriately sealed leftover foods
It’s important to note that leftover food, especially rice and pasta, should be consumed within a day. For potato lovers, ensure potatoes are adequately sealed with foil and consume them within 18 to 36 hours to maintain freshness and safety.
5. Be cautious of beverages with ice
Ice is often made from tap water, which may not be distilled. To reduce the risk of food-borne diseases, only drink water from reputable restaurants and hotels.
6. Check expiration dates
You must be careful not to buy a slightly dented, rusted, and deformed canned as it has already expired. For instance, the standard expiry limit for high-acid canned goods is 12-18 months. Meanwhile, you will have to use low-acid canned goods for about 2-5 years without degrading their quality.
Who are The most vulnerable to food poisoning?
It’s crucial to pay close attention when traveling with family members who have pre-existing health conditions. Here are the individuals who are most prone to food poisoning:
- People with medication for HIV/AIDS
- Adults and adults older than 65
- Children aged less than 5 years old
- A person who suffers from liver or kidney disease
- Individuals who have cancer
- Pregnant women
Generally, the recovery period from food poisoning will depend on the severity of the case. You should also consider factors like the illness’s causes and the patient’s health status. However, in some cases, it may last just a couple of days or weeks in the worse cases.
Stay safe and healthy while enjoying your travels!
It’s important to remember that prevention is key, even though getting food sickness while traveling can be upsetting. Following these guidelines and tips allows you to explore new destinations while preventing food poisoning.
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