Foodborne Illness Complications

Foodborne illnesses can have very serious complications. When certain food poisonings occur, not only does the victim suffer from an initial bout of symptoms, sometimes long lasting fatal complications can result. The following is a list of a few bacteria linked to foodborne illnesses and some of the related complications.

1. Clostridium Botulinum: Clostridium Botulinum causes botulism food poisoning. Botulism spores survive in low oxygen, low acidic environments. Botulism causes neurological problems. Foodborne botulism poisoning often has symptoms including weakness, lethargy, double vision, constipation, and breathing problems. Infant botulism, which can be contracted when very young children consume contaminated food, manifests as a shallow cry, difficulty sucking, and weakness. Botulism can be fatal.
2. Listeria monocytogenes: Listeriosis food poisoning results from ingestion of the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria foodborne illness can result in stillbirths in pregnant women. Symptoms of Listeriosis can include fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Listeriosis can also manifest as septicemia, meningitis, or encephalitis. Raw meats and soft cheeses can be carriers of Listeria bacteria.
3. Salmonella: Salmonella results in Salmonellosis, which is a foodborne illness that has symptoms including nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fever. Individuals who contract Salmonella food poisoning may, in rare cases, develop reactive arthritis and can possibly develop sepsis.
4. Escherichia Coli: E. coli food poisoning results in bloody diarrhea. E. coli victims, especially young children can possibly develop a potentially fatal complication of E. coli food poisoning known as Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) can result in kidney damage and patients may require dialysis.
5. Campylobacter jejuni: Campylobacter is a bacteria  which can cause watery or bloody diarrhea in victims.  Fever, headache, and muscle pain are additional symptoms of Campylobacter foodborne illness. Campylobacter food poisoning may also lead to Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS).  Rare cases have also shown a link between Campylobacter foodborne illness and Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) as well as reactive arthritis and meningitis.