Food infection can be particularly dangerous for the elderly

"Eating something wrong": Food infection can be dangerous for older people
The day before they had been happy about the delicious meal, but now plague a suddenly bad symptoms: abdominal cramps, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Although the haunting is usually over after about two days, in some cases it is advisable to see a doctor.
When complaints arise after eating
When one is plagued by stomach ache, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, the question arises of whether one has possibly caught a virus or "ate something wrong". Basically, behind such symptoms both can be: Both a gastrointestinal flu as well as a food infection. In the latter case is often spoken of food poisoning. However, this term is misleading: "After all, not poison provides for the complaints but bacteria or viruses in spoiled food, usually by a direct inflammation or by the effect of special bacterial substances on the intestinal mucosa," said Peter Walger from the Professional Association of German internists (BDI) in one Message from the news agency dpa.

Infections by germs in food. Picture: © exclusive-design - fotolia

Mostly over after a few days
Vomiting diarrhea caused by a food infection is in most cases over after a few days and the whole haunting is over after one week. Although most sufferers do not need a doctor for a food infection, the situation is different in the case of chronically ill or elderly people. As Walger, who is a senior physician for internal intensive care and infectious diseases at the Johanniter Clinics in Bonn, explained, especially for these groups, the loss of fluid is dangerous. Then sometimes infusions can be used. Healthy people can usually compensate for this by drinking a lot and eating the right electrolytes. But they should also go to the doctor if the symptoms include fever and violent spasms or mucus or blood in the stool.

Sometimes allergic reactions are the cause
However, such violent reactions to food poisoning are not the rule, according to Walger. If the body rebels during the meal or within an hour, there is usually no food infection, but an allergic reaction behind it. "From the time between the symptoms and the food you can close about the pathogen," said the expert. For example, Salmonella takes about one to two days to get diarrhea and co. Health experts are always advised to pay attention to good kitchen hygiene in order to avoid gastrointestinal infections as much as possible. (Ad)