Watch Out!
As we head into the colder seasons of the year, it's important to keep yourself safe and healthy. Whether these illnesses are transmitted through what you eat or through the air, it's important to inform and educate yourself so you know the best ways to protect you and everyone you love. Here are 10 foodborne illnesses you look out for and 10 airborne ones.
1. E.coli
Short for a type of bacteria called Escherichia coli, people catch it by eating or drinking contaminated food or water. It's typically found in raw produce, dairy products, or meat, with raw vegetables and undercooked minced beef being the biggest culprits. That's why it's always important to take care of your food, especially if you want to avoid symptoms like diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting, and on the rare occasion, fever.
2. Giardia
Giardia or Giardiasis (sometimes known as beaver fever) is a parasite that infects humans through food, water, infected surfaces, or even person-to-person contact. It's most commonly found in places with unsafe water, with contact to just a few germs making quick effect. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, with most people suffering from diarrhea, cramps, and nausea.
3. Salmonella
Arguably the most familiar foodborne illness on this list, Salmonella is generally caused by eating raw or undercooked meat or dairy products. You might start seeing symptoms as early as six hours after, while sometimes you have to wait six days before you feel any signs. People who suffer from this bacterial disease experience fever, cramps, headaches, and nausea.
4. Listeria
Particularly for pregnant women, older adults, and those with weak immune systems, Listeria is a foodborne bacteria you absolutely do not want to get. These individuals are more prone to getting severe infections, with symptoms ranging from fever, vomiting, body aches, headaches, and much more. The foods most commonly associated with Listeria include hot dogs, deli meats, melons, and unpasteurized dairy products.
5. Shigella
Targeted at your digestive system and intestine, Shigella (or shigellosis) are bacteria that mainly cause uncomfortable diarrhea with other symptoms being stomach pain and fever. It's typically transmitted through consuming contaminated food or drinks, meaning you should always be extra careful about what you put into your body.
6. Vibriosis
This foodborne disease is caused by the bacteria Vibrio which is mostly found in poorly cooked or raw seafood. Those "delicious" raw oysters might cause you a world of suffering in the form of vomiting, headaches, diarrhea, and nausea. These symptoms generally appear pretty quickly too, between 12 to 72 hours after.
7. Campylobacter
Though this bacteria has got a complicated name, it's more familiar than you'd think. Commonly termed "food poisoning," Campylobacter is the bacteria that causes the common stomach bug associated with nausea, possible vomiting, fever, and diarrhea (that might be bloody in severe cases). The best way to prevent catching this is ensuring you thoroughly cook and heat your food.
8. Cronobacter
Although this illness is more rare than others on this list, catching it can be fatal, especially for babies or seniors. Cronobacter can be found in dry foods like powdered milk, teas, starches, and even powdered baby formula. It's important to always keep an watchful eye on these symptoms in infants: fever, low energy, crying, and in the worst cases, seizures.
9. Hepatitis A
Though it might be a bit gross to think about, Hepatitis A is a foodborne virus that occurs when people eat food or water that have been contaminated with the faeces of an HAV-infected individual. While it isn't a life-threatening disease in most cases, it can cause extreme symptoms, with rare, severe cases ending in liver failure.
10. Norovirus
Commonly referred to as the stomach flu or at times, the Norwalk virus or winter vomiting disease, Norovirus is an exceptionally contagious virus that leads to diarrhea and vomiting. It is one of the leading causes of these symptoms in the United States, with transmission caused by person-to-person contact or contaminated food. The best way to protect yourself is to always wash your hands carefully, wash the ingredients you cook with, and clean dirty surfaces.
1. Coronavirus
After the terrifying pandemic in 2020, there isn't a soul on this planet that isn't familiar with Coronavirus, or more commonly, COVID-19. Because this airborne disease was so easy to catch, people were required to wear masks and stand at least 6 feet apart at all times. While we thankfully have vaccines now, this virus had the worst symptoms including sore throat, loss of smell and taste, fever, bad coughs, and much more.
2. Influenza
More commonly known as "the flu," Influenza is likely a virus you've experienced at some point in your life. Affecting the nose, throat, and in more extreme cases, the lungs, this disease is highly contagious and can cause symptoms like body aches, headaches, sore throat, fever, and more. To prevent catching it, there are a few things that can help: get your flu shot, always wash your hands, and stay away from those infected.
3. Measles
Measles are definitely nothing to laugh about. This respiratory disease can spread incredibly rapidly when a contagious individual coughs, sneezes, or even breathes near others. This virus lives in the nose and throat, but as it spreads, can cause fever, runny nose, cough, and terrible rashes. In the most severe cases, measles can lead to ear infections, pneumonia, or even worse, respiratory failure and death.
4. Chickenpox
Though the name might sound a bit light-hearted, this disease is anything but that. Caused by a virus called the varicella-zoster, it commonly occurs in people's childhoods and leads to ichy red blisters which grow all over the body. It's airbone and easily spreads via coughing, sneezing, or any contact with the blister fluids.
5. The Common Cold
The common cold, one we all fear getting during the colder seasons, is a contagious airborne disease that causes inflammation particularly in the nose and throat. While they aren't the most dangerous, they can be a pain to go through and can cause symptoms just two days after exposure.
6. Tuberculosis
A highly dangerous disease that specifically targets the lungs, Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that leaves you with a terrible cough, chest pain, chills, and so much more. While it is curable, it can spread quite quickly and easily when a contagious individual coughs, sneezes, spits, or breathes with others close by.
7. Pneumonia
Causing inflammation in your lungs, pneumonia can be a painful sickness that causes bad, lingering coughs, difficulty in breathing, and fever. While the symptoms can range from moderate to severe, it's best that you protect yourself by getting yearly vaccinations and washing your hands thoroughly.
8. Anthrax
You may not be familiar with this disease and that's a good thing. Anthrax is a severe infection causes by the Baciluus anthracis bacteria. It can be transmitted through numerous ways, including direct contact, breathing it in, or bodily absorption. While it might be rare, the complications are serious should a human ever contract it. From organ failure to inflammation, the damages are high.
9. Pertussis
More commonly known as the "whooping cough," this airborne disease gets its name from causing infected individuals to have a terrible hacking cough that's followed by a "whooping" sound when taking a breath. While the symptoms are generally similar to the common cold, the biggest standout is having to deal with a bad cough for several months after. Pertussis is sadly very contagious, with the droplets produced from coughing, sneezing, or breathing, traveling to others by air.
10. Mumps
Easily infecting people through air travel in the form of droplets caused by coughing or sneezing, Mumps are a viral infection that is generally known for causing painful swelling near the jaw area. As if that isn't enough, you may face other symptoms including difficulty chewing, headaches, muscle aches, and more.
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