An individual can suffer from food poisoning by consuming contaminated lettuce. It is important to note that lettuce is usually grown outdoors and distributed as is. It is the responsibility of the consumers to properly wash the lettuce before using it for consumption. Food poisoning can occur once the individual has eaten food that is tainted with a contagious organism such as listeria.
In case the lettuce was exposed to animal feces during the cultivation process, manufacturing or harvesting of the vegetable, it can contain infectious bacteria or virus that will lead to food poisoning. You can learn more how to properly manage food poisoning by taking part in first aid training today. In doing so, you can carry out the appropriate measures to prevent the condition of the individual from worsening.
Food poisoning
Once the individual has eaten lettuce that is dirty, he/she will suffer from gastrointestinal distress and the symptoms usually manifest in a span of a few hours or up to 36 hours later. Initially, the individual might think that he/she has indigestion but as the symptoms develop, it will become apparent that a serious condition is developing. The symptoms can come on abruptly and in a violent manner. In most circumstance of food poisoning due to lettuce, they are usually mild and do not trigger any lasting damage to the body. The food poisoning is regarded serious among infants, elderly and those with immune system disorders.
Possible causes of food poisoning
Food poisoning can be caused by lettuce even if the lettuce is not directly contaminated. If the individual slices lettuce using the same knife used in cutting raw meat, it can cause cross contamination with the bacteria from meat. The lettuce can also become contaminated if it was handled by hands that were not properly washed using water and soap. Utensils, cutting boards and other tools that were not properly cleaned can contaminate the lettuce. The individual can also experience food poisoning from lettuce that is rotten.
Symptoms
The usual symptoms from food poisoning due to lettuce include abdominal pain, stomach cramps, nausea, and watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, vomiting, fatigue and fever. These symptoms can last for 1-10 days after consuming contaminated lettuce. It is best to consult a doctor if the individual vomits blood, vomiting that persists for more than two days, fever higher than 101.5 degrees, severe diarrhea lasting more than three days and blood in the stool.
Preventive measures
Food poisoning from lettuce can be prevented by washing the vegetable properly before consumption. You have to run it under cool water to remove any leftover residue. Wash your hands using warm water and soap and use only utensils that were properly washed and dried. Additionally, it is best to purchase lettuce from a reputable source.