For most people who get a foodborne illness, it is a 2 or 3 days of sickness followed by a quick recovery with no serious long term effects (except for the memories of how intense a food poisoning illness can be). But for an unfortunate few and their families, a foodborne bacteria, virus or parasite can change everything in an instant.
There are quite a few pathogens that use food as a transmission source; each one can cause serious complications. Foodborne illness microbes typically target children, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems; essentially, our most vulnerable citizens are at the greatest risk of having a food poisoning turn into a severe, potentially fatal, complication.
I have compiled a list of complications that can occur from a foodborne illness infection. Some of the foodborne illness complications are closely related to a specific food pathogen and some are caused by any number of sources not just foodborne illness. Some of these complications are very rare and others are surprisingly common. But no matter how likely or unlikely a foodborne illness complication is to occur, they are devastating when victims and their families must endure the pain and tragedy of a food poisoning gone awry.
10. Hospitalization due to severe symptoms
The CDC reports there are over 300,000 hospitalizations every year that can be attributed to foodborne illness. Severe diarrhea and vomiting caused by pathogens like Salmonella, Norovirus and Campylobacter can lead to dangerous dehydration. Cramping and caused by an intestinal microbe like E. coli or Shigella can make everyday activities unbearable. While most of these hospital visits are short and the victim recovers, hospitalizations of any sort are disconcerting, scary and expensive, if not for you for your health insurance provider. Because of its frequency and likelihood of occurrence, hospitalization from foodborne illness should be a real concern for every American.
9. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common assortment of diseases that affect the intestines and digestion. Until recently there was no conclusive evidence of a relationship between Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and foodborne illness. But a European study shed light on a somewhat disconcerting statistic; people, who had at some point contracted a diarrheal or intestinal infection like salmonellosis and hemorrhagic colitis, were almost twice as likely to suffer from a long term digestive issue such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Crones disease. While these illnesses are not life threatening, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is most certainly ‘life quality’ threatening. Individuals dealing with this uncomfortable disease often rely on drastic dietary changes and stringent regiments of pharmaceuticals.Even with medical treatment, many must resign to the fact that their digestive health will never be truly functional.
8. Reiter’s Syndrome (reactive arthritis)
Reiter’s syndrome occurs when the body’s auto immune response to a foreign pathogen goes too far. Bacteria such as Salmonella and Campylobacter get into the blood stream via the intestines and then the foodborne bacteria begin to invade the body’ various organ systems. In response, the body releases antigens to attack the microbes. The body’s joints and skin end up as a casualty in the battle between the body and foodborne bacteria. Swelling of the joints and blisters on the skin can make Reiter’s syndrome especially painful. Typically, Reiter’s syndrome is not permanent, but there have been reported incidents of lifelong problems and recurrences associated with Reiter’s syndrome.
7. Guillan-Barre Syndrome (GBS)
Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a frightening nerve condition that has gained some recent attention because Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is potentially a rare side effect of the H1N1 vaccine. Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune disease like Reiter’s syndrome, but unlike Reiter’s, the body doesn’t attack the joints and skin; it attacks the outer lining of the body’s nerves causing paralysis. Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) can be occur from an autoimmune reaction to any number of causes, ranging from microbes to pharmaceuticals, but the CDC estimates that 40% of all Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) cases in the U.S. can be attributed to campylobacteriosis, an infection of the food and water borne bacteria Campylobacter. Most individuals recover from Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), but for some the condition proves to be a long-term problem with victims suffering a lifetime of complications.
6. Nerve Damage
There are a few foodborne illnesses that are not caused by a food pathogen specifically but caused by a neurotoxin produced by the pathogen. Clostridium botulinum is an example. Clostridium botulinum is a bacterium that produces a spore that contains one of the most potent nerve toxins in the world. Mere micrograms of the toxin can lead to intoxication, called botulism, which in turn can quickly cause paralysis and even lead to death. Surviving the rare condition can cause long term damage to various nerve systems meaning that a botulism victim may never fully function the same again.
Be sure to come back tomorrow to check the list for number 5 thru 1.
A roommate urged me to look at this post, great post, fanstatic read… keep up the good work!