Diseases caused by contaminated foods mainly produce symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal bloating, but may vary according to the microorganism that is developing in the food.
It is usually easy to identify when fresh foods are spoiled as they have altered color, smell or taste. However, industrialized foods do not always show these changes due to the presence of substances that help to maximize the validity of these products. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the expiration date and not to consume outdated foods, as they have a high risk of being spoiled.
Major diseases caused by contaminated food
The 3 major diseases caused by food contaminated by microorganisms include:
1. Food Contaminated by Salmonella
Foods contaminated with Salmonella can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever over 38 °, muscle aches and headache, between 6 hours and 3 days after ingestion. See others in: Symptoms of salmonella infection.
Main sources of contamination: beef, poultry or products made from eggs, poorly cooked or stored at very hot temperatures, for example.
2. Food contaminated by Bacillus cereus
Foods that are contaminated with Bacillus cereus can lead to symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, intense vomiting and excessive tiredness, up to 16 hours after eating.
Main sources of contamination: meats, milk, rice and cooked vegetables, but which are stored at inadequate or reheated temperatures in a short time.
3. Food contaminated by Escherichia coli
The symptoms caused by foods contaminated by E. coli vary according to the type of bacteria found in the food, however, the most common include:
| Types of E. coli in food | Symptoms caused by contamination |
| E. coli enterohemorrhagic | Severe abdominal pain, blood in the urine and fluid diarrhea followed by bloody feces, 5 to 48 hours after ingestion. |
| Enteroinvasive E. coli | Fever above 38º, watery diarrhea and intense abdominal pain, up to 3 days after eating the food. |
| Enterotoxigenic E. coli | Excessive tiredness, fever between 37º and 38º, abdominal pain and liquid diarrhea. |
| Pathogenic E. coli | Abdominal pains, frequent vomiting, headache and constant nausea. |
Main sources of contamination: poorly cooked food, such as poorly cooked meat or salad, or prepared with poor hygiene, such as not washing hands. Here's how to wash the vegetables well: How to wash fruits and vegetables well.
Diseases caused by food contaminated by agrochemicals
The diseases caused by foods contaminated by pesticides are mainly cancer, infertility and other changes in glands that produce hormones, such as the thyroid, for example.
Agrochemicals are found in small amounts in food and accumulate in the body and therefore, although not normally cause disease immediately after eating food, are involved in the origin malabsorption of nutrients and degenerative diseases, such as some types of cancer, for example.
When food is contaminated with pesticides or heavy metals, such as mercury or aluminum, you can not see or feel any changes. To know if these foods are suitable for consumption it is necessary to know their origin and know the quality of the water or the land where they were grown or raised.
Diseases caused by spoiled foods
Diseases caused by spoiled foods happen mainly when they pass the shelf life in the case of processed products or when the food handler has not washed their hands or utensils properly.
Although it is sometimes not possible to identify if foods are spoiled, as in the case of salmonellosis, in most cases they are left with altered color, smell or taste.
What to do in case of food poisoning
Ingestion of spoiled or contaminated food with microorganisms causes food poisoning, causing symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea and general malaise that are easily treated by simply moisturizing the patient with water, homemade whey and juices, as well as making a light meal with soup and soup, for example.
