Bacterial food poisoning in the elderly can lead to complications and sometimes fatal results. Singapore General Hospital (SGH) Department of Infectious Diseases shares the symptoms, treatment and prevention tips.
Continued from previous page.
Bacterial food poisoning is common in the elderly due to a weaker immune system. Most of the infections are caused by eating contaminated food which in turn can be caused by improper handling and preparation of the food and poor personal hygiene.
Symptoms of bacterial food poisoning
- Nausea and severe diarrhoea
- Watery stools
- High fever
- Stomach cramps
- Dehydration (e.g. dry mouth, reduced urine output)
- Muscle aches
- Nausea and diarrhoea (less common)
More serious symptoms include confusion, loss of balance, shaking or convulsions, headaches and stiff neck if the Listeria bacteria infect the nervous system.
Complications and treatment of Salmonella and Listeria infections
Salmonella can cause infections in the heart, bones or bone marrow; it can also cause an inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord though this is rare, says
Dr Limin Wijaya, Senior Consultant at the
Department of Infectious Diseases,
Singapore General Hospital (SGH), a member of the
For the elderly with weak immune systems, the
Listeria bacteria may invade the central nervous system and cause bacterial meningitis which is serious and potentially life threatening.
Salmonella infections usually clear up on their own within four to seven days without treatment in normal, healthy people, but the elderly may take longer to recover. Antibiotics are prescribed for severe infections that have spread beyond the intestines.
Healthy individuals rarely become ill from
Listeria but this infection can be fatal in certain groups of individuals such as pregnant women and the elderly.
9 tips to prevent bacterial food poisoning
- Keep leftover foods refrigerated. Heat them until they are steaming hot before eating.
- Re-heat deli meats, canned luncheon meats or hot dogs until they are steaming hot.
- Cook raw meats thoroughly.
- Avoid eating raw foods such as raw or undercooked eggs.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after using the bathroom and before preparing food.
- Don't drink unpasteurised milk.
- Wash raw vegetables and fruits thoroughly.
- Keep knives used to cut meats separately from those used to cut vegetables.
- Keep cooked food separate from raw food.
"Bacterial food poisoning should not be taken lightly in the elderly. If you experience persistent diarrhoea and fever, get medical help immediately," advises Dr Wijaya.