Prevent Food Borne Illnesses and Food Poisoning at Barbecues

Summer Food Safety Tips – Reduce Your Chances of Food Poisoning

Food Poisoning Signs and Symptoms

If you eat contaminated food, you increase your chances for getting food poisoning.  The severity of the illness depends on what type of bacteria caused your illness.  In fact according to WebMD there are over 250 known different diseases that can cause food borne illnesses.   If you have ever experienced food poisoning you are probably somewhat aware of the signs and symptoms, but often times people easily mistake food poisoning with the stomach virus.  The signs and symptoms of food poisoning can include the following and can range in severity depending on the type of bacteria that you ingested:

  • Diarrhea
  • Bloody diarrhea
  • Foul smelling stool
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  •  Feeling sick to your stomach
  • Stomach cramps
  • Fever
  • Malaise
  • Body aches
  • Dehydration
  • Joint pain
  • Eye irritation
  • Difficulty urinating
  • Weakness
  • Numbness
  • Confusion
  • Tingling of hands, feet, or your face

If you think you have the signs and symptoms of food poisoning, please seek medical attention immediately to avoid possible complications.  By visiting a doctor, you can get the proper treatment.  Most doctors can easily determine, by taking a small amount of blood, if your symptoms are bacteria or viral.  If you test positive for a bacteria, doctors often will prescribe antibiotics to kill the harmful bacteria in your stomach and intestines.

Do you always follow food safety guidelines at barbecues or celebrations during the summer months?

Comments

16 responses to “Summer Food Safety Tips – Reduce Your Chances of Food Poisoning”

  1. Kristl Story Avatar

    All it takes is one episode of food poisoning to make you a kitchen sanitation nazi! Trust me!

    1. Kristl Story Avatar

      I should clarify that my food poisoning came from Shrimp on someone else’s buffet, not from my kitchen!

      1. Christy Avatar

        I have had several cases of food poisoning and it all came from restaurants.

    2. Christy Avatar

      I agree Kristi. I love using a bleach solution on my counters even though my older kids hate using it. I want to make sure all of the bacteria on the counters is killed.

  2. DelSheree Avatar

    Clorox wipes are a favorite of mine for cleaning the kitchen. I liked your mention of cleaning the fridge regularly. It’s one people probably don’t think about as often. Great tips!

    1. Christy Avatar

      I know that I need to clean my own out soon. I love the wipes, I need to figure out a way to make my own reusable wipes.

  3. rhonda Avatar

    I would imagine so. If going to restaurants can be a bit risky, going to a party, where there are not set rules about the way things will be prepared, and things are sitting outdoors, is surely, sadly, risky. You’ve provided an excellent reference here 🙂

    1. Christy Avatar

      Rhonda I have gotten sick from resturants even though most of the have their own food safety guidelines. However, you never know who in the kitchen staff is sick or carrying germs by not properly washing their hands. Most food borne illness are spread by cross contamination.

  4. Lexie Lane Avatar

    These are definitely great tips! I tell ya, I’ve been to some BBQs where the food was definitely questionable! This is definitely good to know!

    1. Christy Avatar

      Thank you Lexie.

  5. Ronae Jull Avatar

    Summer barbequeing is one of my favorite times, but I’ll admit I tend to get a little lazier than is probably healthy about keeping everything “safest”. I don’t have a problem cleaning up, but that thing of not eating food that’s been sitting outside more than an hour is tough! Thanks for the great tips, especially now that we’ve officially headed into BBQ season!

    1. Christy Avatar

      I can relate to eating food that has been sitting out too long; however, thankfully it usually happens at Thanksgiving and Christmas time.

  6. Regina Avatar

    It is very important to keep this in mind when cooking. Thanks for the reminder!

    1. Christy Avatar

      Your welcome Regina thank you for reading my post.

  7. Leigh @oneandoneequalstwinfun.com Avatar

    YIKES! Good tips. Like the one about putting the food in the air conditioned car instead of the trunk. Thanks!!

    1. Christy Avatar

      If I didn’t have an SUV and a small hatchback it would be impossible for me to put the food inside of the car.