What to know about food poisoning while traveling

Two cases covering possible food poisoning among tourists have aroused concerns about what travelers can do to prevent foods transmitted by food and food treatment-not only during adventure outside the turbulent path, but around resorts.

While the reason for the recent death Miller Gardner, 14-year-old son of the former Up-to-date York York Yankees, Brett Gardner, has not been confirmed, Miller and other members of the Gardner, Apparently, it experienced the suffering of the digestive tract after eating a meal during the holidays in Costa Rica. And a lawsuit filed this year in Toronto in connection with the death related to food poisoning in 2023. 8-year-old Stephen Gougeon and his mother, April, claims, among others, that the center of the Dominican Republic, in which they stayed, did not occupy sufficient caution in food service.

In general, gastrointestinal diseases among tourists – travelers diarrhea and food poisoning – It is particularly likely to appear in countries where water supply is perilous. But there are also many cases of food poisoning and hundreds of deaths in the United States each year, and these infections can occur anywhere where food is treated. Raw or undercooked meat, fish and crustaceans can be contaminated, a List of disease control centers and high -risk food prevention It includes raw eggs and unpasteurized milk.

The journey is additional fears. “People can be in places where tap water is not necessarily unthreatening and have no control over how food is prepared or served,” he said Dr. Adam RatnerDirector of the Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases Hassenfeld children’s hospital in Nyu Langone In Up-to-date York. “When you are at home, you have some control and you have standards of us and the local health department. It is more complex to assess safety elsewhere.”

Parents should be particularly vigilant. Infants and adolescent children are susceptible to dehydration, which is generally the most perilous aspect of gastrointestinal diseases; Other high -risk groups include pregnant women, elderly people and everyone who is resistant to immunity. But even younger adults and adolescent people may not be aware of how grave the symptoms of food poisoning may be, and when it is vital to obtain medical assistance.

Here’s what you need to know to be prepared while traveling and what to do if you suspect that you or your travel companions have food poisoning.

What is food poisoning?

Food poisoning means that you have eaten something that is contaminated, most often with bacteria and toxins that they produce, but sometimes with a virus or original parasite. This can happen because the food was not cooked thoroughly or because it was contaminated after cooking. In other words, the problem may arise at any time when preparing food, service and serving.

When members of the group who ate together, they are usually proof of food poisoning. Typical symptoms are diarrhea and vomiting, sometimes they accompany fever, chills and abdominal pain. With some pollution, especially some bacterial toxins, people will get ailing within a few hours, while with others it can take about 24 hours.

The greatest danger is fluid loss and dehydration. However, some bacterial toxins can cause other types of body damage, and some bacteria can actually cause a general infection or sepsis, especially salmonella.

What dishes should be avoided on vacation?

Stay with food that has been thoroughly cooked and served. Avoid raw crustaceans that could come from polluted water and raw or undercooked meat. Especially in countries where water supply is not unthreatening, avoid fruit and salads prematurely, which could be washed in this water. . CDC. It also warns against foods such as salsa and cevichy, which contain raw ingredients.

Basically, food is the safest when it is thoroughly cooked and served sizzling. This means that buffets can be problematic, and food often stands for a long time. If you eat in a buffet, sizzling food should be really sizzling, and if there is chilly food, it should be really frosty; Nothing should approach the room temperature.

If the food was cooked and then allowed you to sit – as it often happens with street food – stay away.

Be suspicious of ice – boiling up kills potential pathogens, but freezing does not. If the ice is made of contaminated water, it is not unthreatening. If you have concerns, stick to bottled drinks from the fridge.

Any shots you should get before traveling?

Everyone should be immunized against hepatitis A, a virus that is a common cause of gastrointestinal disease in many parts of the world. Children are currently routinely tight before hepatitis A in infancy, but check if teenagers have a vaccine – and adults should get it if they did not have it.

What should you take with you?

You can travel with the packages of the oral irrigation solution – basically a combination of sugar, salt and potassium, which can be mixed with neat water and drunkard to supplement fluids and electrolytes.

Some doctors prescribe antibiotics to carry with each other. The idea is to take antibiotics if you develop diarrhea, hoping to shorten the course of the disease. However, having antibiotics – and even taking them – should not make you symptoms; You still have to get medical support if you are seriously ill.

In the case of parents, it is worth talking to the child’s pediatrician about how to be in contact with abroad, if you have concerns, and you should look at insurance during travel. You can also examine in advance how to find medical support at the destination – does this mean knowledge of the location of the nearest hospital or emergency phone number. It may be helpful to refer to Global clinical catalog of the Medicine International Society.

What should you do if you develop symptoms?

First of all, remain hydration. Drink sports drinks; Sprinkle neat water, broth or tea; and operate your oral hydration solution.

Treat the disease seriously. If multiple episodes of vomiting and diarrhea appear, if you really can’t stop anything, and especially if everything gets worse, don’t wait for medical care. You should be particularly concerned if the fever, chills, bloody diarrhea or severe abdominal pain develop.

With a younger child, dehydration can occur quickly – within a few hours – and drinking little child can be complex. . American Academy of Pediatrics He advises to contact a doctor immediately if the child does not drink.

Most likely, especially in the center, you go through the hotel to find medical support. The most vital advice is that if you are worried, you must be willing to insist on medical care, and if necessary, go to a local clinic or hospital. “Don’t answer the answer,” said Dr. Ratner.

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