Food poisoning one of the most common causes of acute illness. A toxic process caused by eating food contaminated by poisonous substances or by bacteria containing toxins. Children are particularly vulnerable to food poisoning, and an infection that would cause little concern in an adult can result in a serious illness in a young child.
The greatest danger from food poisoning is not the toxin itself but the body’s natural response to poison such as vomiting and diarrhea that robs the body of vital fluids. This is especially true in young children. If dehydration becomes serious, food poisoning victims need to be hospitalized and given fluids intravenously.
In cases of food poisoning, symptoms should be treated by drinking fluids to replace fluid loss. Mild cases may be treated at home, with a soft diet, including some salt and sugar. Most cases of food poisoning are not serious, and recovery is usually within three days.