How to avoid food poisoning while traveling can be done by paying more attention to food and drink consumption as well as hygiene factors.
Food poisoning is a rather common illness among travelers visiting new places. Humid climate and poor health standard of some countries makes bacteria develops much faster in food, especially in developing countries. This has become the main cause of many food poisoning cases. Generally, this illness affects foreign tourists, because they haven’t developed the immune system to prevent it yet. As a way on how to avoid food poisoning while traveling, it is important to always pay attention to hygiene during your trip, such as washing your hands before eating.
Food Poisoning
Food poisoning is a stomach problem caused by organisms such as parasites, viruses, and bacteria. A person can get infected with food poisoning after consuming food or drink that has been contaminated with parasites, viruses, or bacteria. There’s a possibility that contamination may occur if food is not cooked or served properly. This illness can heal on its own, however, it still can’t be ignored. In some cases, if food poisoning is left unchecked and doesn’t get treatment, it can lead to serious health problems. In many cases, food poisoning is caused by eating from street vendors. Street food is likely to have poor hygiene and health standards, so it may contain bacteria.
Causes and Symptoms
Be careful if you are traveling in foreign countries, especially when it comes to food and drinks. Cases of food poisoning is usually caused by bacteria, viruses, and parasites, such as Campylobacter bacteria, Salmonella, Escherichia coli (E. coli), Listeria, Clostridium botulinum, Shigella, Norovirus, Rotavirus, Cryptosporidium, Entamoeba histolytica, and Giardia parasites. Signs and symptoms of food poisoning usually don’t appear immediately after consuming contaminated food or drink, it may take a while for many people to notice that they have been infected. Typically, symptoms will begin to appear around three days after consumption. Below are common symptoms of food poisoning:
- Stomach ache / stomach cramps;
- Abdominal pain;
- Diarrhea;
- Feeling weak
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache;
- Fever;
- Loss of appetite;
- Dehydration.
How to Avoid Food Poisoning While Traveling
Having food poisoning while traveling can be a big problem for your fun holiday. To prevent this illness, you can start by being more aware with hygiene as a way on how to avoid food poisoning while traveling. If you’re planning to travel abroad, you can do the following tips on how to avoid food poisoning while traveling:
- If you plan to stay in developing countries, try to avoid drinking tap water as it’s not for consumption and might not be sterile;
- Only drink bottled water or boiled water;
- Don’t drink drinks with ice just in case the ice is made from tap water;
- As a way on how to avoid food poisoning while traveling, try to always eat in places with good hygiene standard;
- It’s better to avoid street food, meals from food from street vendors might not be hygienic;
- Always wash hands and use hand sanitizer before eating and after going to the toilet
- Avoid washing fruits and vegetables in tap water;
- How to avoid food poisoning while traveling, only eat freshly cooked food, don’t eat raw or undercooked meat and food that has been left at warm temperature for too long.
If symptoms of food poisoning appear, try to drink plenty of water to have enough fluids in the body. Book a doctor to your location to examine your symptoms through Medi-Call Application or contact Medi-Call Hotline at +62 81210783387. In addition, get IV Therapy Service if dehydration occurs.