Understanding the Gravity of Food Poisoning

 Posted on January 17, 2016 in Food Poisoning

A recent report by Michigan State University discusses exactly how damaging food poisoning can be. In many cases, food poisoning can cause a victim to suffer significant health problems or even die if it is left untreated. This is why it is so important that you seek medical care for your illness as soon as you begin to feel the symptoms of food poisoning. Although food poisoning can often resolve itself within a few days, it can sometimes become a serious illness. This is especially true for individuals with weakened immune systems such as the elderly, infants and young children, and pregnant women.

It can be difficult to trace food poisoning to a specific source. To make it easier to determine when and how you became ill, try to remember what you ate within the 24-48 hour period before your symptoms began to appear. If you ate with others, ask them if they are experiencing any similar symptoms to narrow down the cause of your illness. If your food poisoning was caused by another party's failure to safely store, prepare, or clean food, you can potentially recover compensation for your losses through a personal injury claim.

Some of the more severe complications of food poisoning that a victim can potentially suffer include the following:

Brain and Nerve Damage

Listeria poisoning can cause a victim to suffer from inflammation of the membrane around the brain. This is known as meningitis. Meningitis can cause the victim to suffer from cognitive impairment, physical disability, seizures, and death if left untreated.

Another way a food poisoning victim can potentially suffer is Guillain-Barre syndrome. This conditions affects the nervous system, causing the victim's body to attack itself internally. This condition can quickly become severe, requiring intensive medical treatment. In many cases, Guillain-Barre syndrome is a result of a Campylobacter infection.

Hemolytic-uremic Syndrome

Hemolytic-uremic syndrome is a type of kidney failure that can be caused by E.coli poisoning. It occurs when red blood cells are damaged prematurely. Once they are damaged, the cells overload the kidneys' filtering system, which could lead to kidney failure. This condition is the most common cause of acute kidney failure in children.

Arthritis

Sometimes, individuals suffering from Salmonella and Shigella poisoning report pain in their joints. This can be a symptoms of reactive arthritis, which can lead to chronic arthritis. Other symptoms of arthritis include pain in the eyes and difficulty urinating. Always report these symptoms to your doctor to be sure you receive appropriate treatment in a timely manner.

Work with an Illinois Food Poisoning Attorney

If you or your child have suffered from food poisoning and you are now facing significant expenses related to the illness, consider filing a food poisoning claim with help from an experienced personal injury attorney. Our team at Newland & Newland, LLP can help you seek the money you need to cover these expenses. Contact our firm today to schedule your initial legal consultation with us.