Food Poisoning: The Attack Of Organisms

The bases of most food poisoning outbreaks is the existence of harmful organisms that grow and contaminate our food. Knowing what causes the spread can help each of us protect ourselves and our families. Looking at specific organisms and their habits is particularly helpful in certain cases.

Wedmed has provided a good list of the spreads for specific organisms:

• Botulism (Clostridium botulinum)

• Campylobacteriosis (Campylobacter)

• Listeriosis (Listeria monocytogenes)

• Marine toxins

• Noroviruses

• Perfringens food poisoning (Clostridium perfringens)

• Salmonellosis (Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella enteritidis)

• Shigellosis (Shigella)

• Staph food poisoning (Staphylococcus aureus)

• Toxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma gondii)

• Vibrio vulnificus food poisoning (Vibrio vulnificus)

Toxoplasmosis and listeriosis are dangerous to a pregnant woman and her fetus. For more information on toxoplasmosis, see the topic Toxoplasmosis During Pregnancy.

For information on E. coli O157:H7, see the topic E. coli Infection. Other types of E. coli infection (enterotoxigenic E. coli) are frequent in the developing world and are a major cause of traveler's diarrhea.

If you suffer from food poisoning, you need to get immediate medical care. If it continues or there are long term affects, you should contact an attorney concerning the problem. Early investigation can include the collection of samples, checking for health alerts, and the proper notifying of those that caused the problem.