Core Tip: Every day, people consume a variety of foods to meet the body's daily needs. However, many foods also contain dangerous bacteria, with raw and cold foods being the primary culprits. To avoid bacterial infections, it is recommended that people prevent them through washing and high temperatures.
● Campylobacter
Campylobacter is often found in chicken and beef. If a person is infected, symptoms such as diarrhea, cramps, and fever will appear within 2 to 5 days, and may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. The illness lasts for about a week. To prevent infection, wash your hands promptly after handling raw chicken and beef, and clean related kitchen utensils. Remember to heat thoroughly before consumption.
● Toxoplasma
Contaminated water and undercooked meat may contain Toxoplasma. Some people experience flu-like symptoms such as headaches, body aches, and fever after infection. In severe cases, it can damage the brain, eyes, and other organs of pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems. It is recommended to wash your hands thoroughly and avoid drinking unclean water when handling.
● Norovirus
Norovirus is commonly found in contaminated food and water and can also spread from person to person. Infection symptoms include nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, and fever, which usually last for several days. To prevent it, wash your hands repeatedly with soap and thoroughly disinfect kitchen countertops.
● E. coli
Undercooked beef, juice, raw milk, and contaminated drinking water may contain E. coli. Infection with this bacterium can lead to severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting, lasting for 5 to 10 days. Therefore, meat must be thoroughly cooked, fruits and vegetables must be washed clean before eating or cooking, and avoid drinking milk that has not been pasteurized.
● Vibrio parahaemolyticus
Vibrio parahaemolyticus is usually found in raw seafood. If symptoms such as diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever, and chills appear within about 24 hours and last for 3 days, it may be an infection with this bacterium. It is recommended to cook seafood thoroughly before eating to avoid bacterial infection.
● Salmonella
Salmonella is commonly found in raw poultry, eggs, beef, and unwashed fruits and vegetables. Infection can cause symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, and stomach cramps, lasting for 4 to 7 days. Attention should be paid to not eating raw or undercooked eggs, and storing raw meat separately from vegetables and cooked meat can effectively prevent it.
● Listeria
Listeria is commonly found in soil and water, and has also been found in raw and unpasteurized milk. After infection, symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, stomach discomfort, and vomiting may occur. Since this bacterium can still grow at low refrigerator temperatures, residual stains in the refrigerator should be cleaned promptly. In addition, unopened lunch meat should not be stored in the refrigerator for more than two weeks, and cooked meat should not be stored for more than 5 days.