Do not let food poisoning ruin the Christmas holiday

Dr Moses Semulya, a general practitioner at Le Memorial Hospital, Kigo, defines food poisoning as an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis caused by microbial pathogens. Food poisoning can be caused by food borne contaminated toxins. A symptom or food borne infection is caused by the activity of live bacterial cells multiplying in the gastrointestinal system. One of the commonest bacteria is known as Clostridium perfringens.
“This strain of bacteria is associated with cooked foods left out at room temperature. If food is left at room temperature for more than two hours, it becomes easy for bacteria to rapidly multiply there,” he expounds.
According to nutritionist Mary Jackie Nanyonjo, depending on which pathogen you may have ingested, you will get some of these symptoms; vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, difficulty in breathing, fever, bloody stool, etc.
Sources of food poisoning
• Improper cooling of food.
“If food is served and left in the open for more than two hours, there is a high risk that you and anyone else who eats that food might get sick. Meat and poultry are the foods that tend to host C. perfringens, but it can also be found in the environment,” says Nanyonjo.
• Dirty packaging. According to Dr Vincent Bakyenga, a general doctor with Uganda Healthcare Federation, there are so many bottled water and juice brands on market in Uganda that might not be safe because of the environment in which they are processed.
• Contaminated raw foods, or ingredients.
• Raw milk, raw/undercooked meat and cold meats.
Preventing food poisoning
Nanyonjo says the easiest way to avoid food poisoning is to make sure food is not exposed to bacteria.
“Refrigerate your leftovers in shallow containers which allows them to reach cooler, safer temperatures quickly. When reheating, make sure the food reaches an internal temperature of 165°F before you eat it,” she advises.
Dr Semulya says if one is travelling, it is important that they pack food for the journey instead of buying already cooked foods from places whose hygiene they are not sure of.
“You can pack sliced bread spread with margarine, some cookies, vegetable salads, sausages, nuts and other simple foods that will not require you to a knife or fork, he says.”
Washing hands before and after touching food, sanitising food preparation surfaces and tools, cooking meat until it is ready and practicing good personal hygiene can save you from food poisoning.
Alcohol poisoning
You can be a victim of alcohol poisoning if you consume toxic amounts of alcohol, usually over a short period. An alcol poisoned person’s blood alcohol level is so high it is considered toxic (poisonous).

First aid for alcohol poisoning
Alcohol poisoning is a significant medical condition that requires immediate treatment. If someone is thought to be suffering from alcohol poisoning, seek medical help. While you wait for help to arrive, the following assistance should be given:
Try to keep the victim awake, keep them in a sitting position, not lying down - if they do lie down, turn their head to the side, if they can drink it, give them water, if they are unconscious, put them in recovery position and check to see that they are breathing.
Also, make sure you don’t give them coffee as caffeine will worsen the dehydration.Do not give them or let them take any more alcohol.
Since they might be unresponsive, ensure that they don not lie on their back, but rather have them in a recovery position