Guam News – Guam News

Guam – A government-wide response has been ongoing on the food poisoning incident. The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has since been activated and several agencies are involved in the coordinated response from the EOC.

Officials have been vigilant at the five school sites and are assessing the condition of students reporting sickness and determining whether students should be transported to the hospital, treated on site or dismissed. Parents at work are encouraged to call home and check with their children to ensure they are not exhibiting symptoms of sickness.Department of Education officials are working now to determine whether classes will resume tomorrow at these five schools.The Public is urged to be vigilant against food poisoning/diarrhoeal illnessesThe public is advised to observe good food and personal hygiene practices at all times when preparing and consuming food. The following are some simple steps to reduce the occurrence of food poisoningFood Poisoning Overview

Food poisoning is a common, usually mild, but sometimes deadly illness. Typical symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, and diarrhea that occur suddenly (within 48 hours) after consuming a contaminated food or drink. Depending on the contaminant, fever and chills, bloody stools, dehydration, and nervous system damage may follow. these symptoms may affect one person or a group of people who ate the same thing (called an outbreak)

Food Poisoning Treatment -Self-Care at Home

*Short episodes of vomiting and small amounts of diarrhea lasting less than 24 hours can usually be cared for at home.

*Do not eat solid food while nauseous or vomiting but drink plenty of fluids.

*Small, frequent sips of clear liquids (those you can see through) are the best way to stay hydrated.

*Avoid alcoholic, caffeinated, or sugary drinks. Over-the-counter rehydration products made for children such as Pedialyte and Rehydralyte are expensive but good to use if available.

*Sports drinks such as Gatorade and Powerade are fine for adults if they are diluted with water because at full strength they contain too much sugar, which can worsen diarrhea.

*Home remedies for nausea or diarrhea such as tea with lemon and ginger can be used for relief from symptoms. There are no proven herbal food poisoning cures. Consult a health care practitioner before taking any natural food poisoning remedies.

*After successfully tolerating fluids, eating should begin slowly, when nausea and vomiting have stopped. Plain foods that are easy on the stomach should be started in small amounts. Initially consider eating rice, wheat, breads, potatoes, low-sugar cereals, lean meats, and chicken (not fried). Milk can be given safely, although some people may experience additional stomach upset due to lactose intolerance.

*Most food poisonings do not require the use of over-the-counter medicines to stop diarrhea, but they are generally safe if used as directed. It is not recommended that these medications be given to children. If there is a question or concern, always check with a doctor.When to Seek Medical Care

*Contact your doctor if any of the following situations occur:-Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea lasts for more than two days.-The ill person is a child younger than three years of age.-The abdominal symptoms are associated with a low-grade fever.-Symptoms begin after recent foreign travel.-Other family members or friends who ate the same thing are also sick.-The ill person cannot keep any liquids down.-The ill person does not improve within two days even though they are drinking large amounts of fluids.-The ill person has a disease or illness that weakens their immune system (for example, HIV/AIDS, cancer and undergoing chemotherapy, kidney disease).-The ill person cannot take their normal prescribed medications because of vomiting.-The ill person has any nervous system symptoms such as slurred speech, muscle weakness, double vision, or difficulty swallowing.-The ill person is pregnant.Go to the nearest hospital’s emergency department if any of the following situations occur:

-The ill person passes out or collapse, become dizzy, lightheaded, or have problems with vision.-A fever higher than 101 F (38.3 C) occurs with the abdominal symptoms.-Sharp or cramping pains do not go away after 10-15 minutes.-The ill person’s stomach or abdomen swells.-The skin and/or eyes turn yellow.-The ill person is vomiting blood or having bloody bowel movements.-The ill person stops urinating, have decreased urination, or have urine that is dark in color.-The ill person develops problems with breathing, speaking, or swallowing.-One or more joints swell or a rash breaks out on the ill person’s skin.-The ill person or caretaker considers the situation to be an emergency

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water – open cageWhat are the symptoms of Cholera? is there Treatment for Cholera?

Cholera is a disease/ infection of the small intestine. It is possible to die from the effects of Cholera and no one is immune.

The main symptoms of Cholera are extensive vomiting and diarrhoea which is usually painless and will produce a clear liquid. Diarrhoea is often described as having a ‘fishy’ odour.

Symptoms of Cholera will begin quickly after infection takes place, usually within one to five days.

How is Cholera Passed on?

Cholera is similar to food poisoning in both effects and transmission. Eating contaminated food or drink will pass the infection on. The bacteria which cause Cholera live in the environment, but it is when these bacteria multiple and is then ingested that Cholera is contracted.

Complications of Cholera

The biggest complication of Cholera is dehydration. An adult with the infection can lose between many litres of fluid per day; any fluid that is replaced will usually be lost immediately.

One complication of severe dehydration is electrolyte imbalance. Losing too many potassium electrolytes for example will cause muscle weakness and wastage.

What is the Treatment for Cholera?

Treatment for Cholera will start with treating the dehydration caused by vomiting and diarrhoea. Replacing lost fluid is the first step to recovery; this can either be through drinking or through an intravenous drip. Electrolytes can also be restored through a drip or through powder sachets to mix with water.

Antibiotic treatment can also be used to fight the infection which causes Cholera, again this is usually given intravenously.

Can everyone get Cholera?

Cholera can affect anyone at any time from any race, it does not discriminate. There are certain circumstances where Cholera is more likely to be caught: Children between the ages of 2 and 4, and people who have O type blood are more susceptible to contracting Cholera than others.

In developing countries the risk for contracting Cholera is higher. because drinking water is often untreated or not treated to the level which is safe, bacteria can grow and multiply.

Vaccine

There are many countries which have oral vaccines for Cholera available. this will greatly reduce any chance you may have of contracting the infection.

Prevention of Cholera

All drinking water should be sterilized/ purified to reduce any bacteria which may be around. When abroad stocking up on bottled water is the best way to ensure you have a fresh clean supply available.

Sources:

• · NHS
• · BBC Health

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.

by Lucas Jalong Bato. Posted on March 15, 2011, Tuesday

LIMBANG: a wedding feast could be the source of a bout of food poisoning which broke out among its guests in the district.

The wedding took place on March 6.

The Indoor Stadium was turned into a quarantine zone for 43 persons showing symptoms of cholera. They were mostly guests at the wedding.

Out of that, 20 admitted to the district hospital comprised 13 men and seven women.

Meanwhile, Limbang MP Hasbi Habibollah advised the people not to panic as the outbreak was under control.

He said the Medical Department had sent teams to the ground to make sure the disease would not spread.

He said rural areas given focus were Kampung Buang Api, Kampung Pandam, Mengatai, Gadong and Lubuk Piasau.

“We hope the people do not panic as the Medical Department is investigating the cause of the outbreak and conducting an awareness programme,” said Hasbi.

He said though the case seem isolated, the people in the affected area need immediate medical attention. And they might need to be quarantined to stop the disease from spreading.

Intro:

Hello everyone, I am currently enlisted in the Air Force and had a flare start up about a month ago. so I contacted the military GI and he had me come in right away. once I got there he sat me down, asked about my symptoms and proceeded to change my medication, told me to give it a week. It has been almost a month, some days are better than most but today is terrible. I had to have my wife take our dog to the vet so I could stay home in case the mood strikes me to run to the toilet. I would hate to have to take the dog in with me or go outside and do my business in dog potty area, ha!

My story:

I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis back in July of 2010 by an off base GI that I had to pay out of pocket because the military wouldn’t refer me. I started to have the symptoms, puss and blood back in March of 2010. I thought maybe food poisoning, hemorrhoids from weight training. I was too embarrassed to say anything to my wife, family, or co-workers. Then I had the sensation to use the bathroom multiple times a day, which poses a huge problem for me cause I train Airman on filed combat operations, so we are out in the field all day, lucky to find a nasty, dirty porta-potty some days. so I started to use pepto and Imodium just to get through work and trips like plane rides and car rides. so I finally broke down and saw my primary care manager because he has to give me a referral to see a GI on base. he suggested that all I had was hemorrhoids, I argued the fact so he sent me to get lab work done and gave me what looked like a paint can to poop in to determine if there was any blood. I told him it was ridiculous, there is definitely going to be blood! About two weeks after my visit I got a referral to a general surgery doctor, not a GI. I had to see this doctor before I could get a referral, I was a little upset but what the heck, I thought this would be a step in the right direction. The general surgery doctor decided to examine me for hemorrhoids, which he determined I might have a small one, I thought to myself it must be all the visits to the toilet! so I tried to explain my symptoms and tell him it was more, all he did was brief me on a high fiber diet, etc. I left and immediately called my primary doctor, pleading for an appointment to a GI, which he denied, telling me to give it more time. At that moment I knew i had to act on my own and find a civilian doctor. I found one near the house and after having a consultation he scheduled me for a colonoscopy. he diagnosed me with UC and put me on Lialda which helped immediately. I then took the results back to my on base doctor showing him my results, in turn he tried to scold me for going over his head, behind the military’s back by seeing another doctor. Finally with results in hand, he scheduled me an appointment with a GI. I saw the on base GI and he immediately initiated a medical board and took my off world wide and deployment status. he also took me off Lialda because the military pharmacy doesn’t carry it and switched me to Apriso which seemed to help until this last month. so now my flare is back and medication switched with no results. I figure I’ll probably go back this week but I know he’ll put me on steroids. I’m thinking about going back to the off base GI since he is the one that originally examined my colon, the on base GI has only made assumptions from their report. Luckily I am on my wife’s health insurance so the copay isn’t too expensive. Does anyone have any suggestions? good luck to everyone out there, take care!

Medications:

Asacol 400MG (12 pills daily)Canasa 1000MG (2 daily)

**the first story written by T-Bone34

T-Bone34′s story is now entered into the 2011 Ulcerative Colitis Writing Contest!!! you Can Join too, click here for details

American Food Service, of Pico Rivera, California, is recalling approximately 3,170 pounds of fresh ground beef patties and other bulk packages of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 bacteria, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) just announced. the recall is a Class 1, which means that this is a health hazard situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.

FSIS inspection personnel were made aware of the potential food poisoning problem when contacted by another federal regulated establishment that believed it had received suspect product. the following products, produced on Jan. 31, 2011, (with the corresponding case codes) are subject to recall:

• (559002) American Companies 100% Pure Ground Beef 30-lb. case

• (552102) American Companies 2/1 R Ground Beef Patties 80/20 10-lb. case

• (553102) American Companies 3/1 R Ground Beef Patties 80/20 10-lb. case

• (554102) American Companies 4/1 R Ground Beef Patties 80/20 10-lb. case

• (554106) American Companies 4/1 R Ground Beef Patties 80/20 10-lb. case

• (554302) American Companies 4/1 L Ground Beef Patties 80/20 20-lb. case

• (555302) American Companies 5/1 L Ground Beef Patties 80/20 20-lb. case

• (556102) American Companies 6/1 R Ground Beef Patties 80/20 10-lb. case

• (553302) American Companies 3/1 L Ground Beef Patties 80/20 20-lb. case

• (554402) American Companies 4/1 J Ground Beef Patties 80/20 20-lb. case

• (557102) American Companies 7/1 R Ground Beef Patties 80/20 10-lb. case

• (556106) American Companies 6/1 R Ground Beef Patties 80/20 10-lb. case

• (552106) American Companies 2/1 R Ground Beef Patties 80/20 10-lb. case

• (559004) American Companies Ground Beef Bulk 80% Lean Taco Grind 60-lb. case

• (559202) American Companies 100% Pure Ground Beef for Chili (Coarse Grind) 30-lb. case.

The products subject to the recall bear the establishment number “EST. 1913″ inside the USDA mark of inspection. these products were distributed to restaurants throughout southern California. FSIS and the establishment are concerned that some product may be frozen and in restaurant freezers.

E. coli bacteria is a potentially deadly pathogen and E. coli symptoms include bloody diarrhea, Dehydration, Abdominal Cramps, and Vomiting. In the most severe cases, the symptoms of E. coli poisoning can include kidney failure. the very young, seniors, and persons with weak immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illnesses.

E. coli infection can lead to other adverse health effects, some long-term and serious, such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), which encompasses a group of disorders, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, which cause the intestines to become inflamed. IBD can cause Abdominal Cramps and pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and bleeding from the intestines. Victims of E. coli infection are also at risk of developing a form of reactive arthritis called Reiter’s Syndrome, which typically affects large weight-bearing joints such as the knees and the lower back.

Victims of E. coli food poisoning sometimes require kidney transplants and may have scarred intestines that cause lasting digestive difficulty. Even E. coli patients who supposedly recovered can experience long-term health problems later on. for instance, it is estimated that 10 percent of E. coli foodborne illness sufferers develop a life-threatening complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS, in which their kidneys and other organs fail.

FSIS advises all consumers to safely prepare their raw meat products, including fresh and frozen, and only consume ground beef that has been cooked to a temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. the only way to confirm that ground beef is cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures internal temperature.

The company’s Customer Service Supervisor, Mario Hernandez, can be reached at 1.562.801.4100, extension 238. Consumers with food safety questions can “Ask Karen,” the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov. the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1.888.MPHotline (1.888.674.6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from l0:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.