Botulism

Homoeo call One should be wary of infections that come through food too.

Apart from the oxygen we inhale , water we drink and the physical touch through which we feel the surroundings there is one more way an infection can reach and it is through food. As the immunity is compromised in the aged due to either chronic illne ss or medication or even otherwise to avoid sickness further, certain steps need to be taken. Raw foods contain the most pathogenic material and since the ability to fight infections in this age is less it is better to reduce the intake of such foods. Raw fish, raw meat, eggs which are not fried completely, unpasteurised milk or juices and cheese are better avoided by these individuals.

At the other end of the spectrum of age are the children who are more vulnerable as their immune system is not geared up enough to fight illness. E. Coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter are a few bacteria which can cause gastroenteritis and lead to undue fevers like typhoid and thereby diarrhoea, fever, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting and dehydration. They should be given food and water which is usually boiled and cooled. Even when the foods are refrigerated it is imperative that they are cooked properly before children are fed with them. The refrigerated foods should be stored in different covers more so if it is raw meat etc. as they are more likely to harbour the bacteria. Raw vegetables also should be avoided in young children during the monsoons as there is likelihood of certain worm infestation which can be carried to them and thereby illness.

The other time of life when immune system is not at its best is the time of pregnancy when even the growing foetus’s vitality is not developed enough to guard against an infection. It is under these circumstances to avoid an acute illness very detrimental to the proper growth of the foetus and mother’s health foods need to be ingested with caution. Unpasteurised milk and ready to eat refrigerated foods can on some occasions be a fine growing area for bacteria like listeria. Long lived fish like tile fish, king mackerel contain a chemical called methylmercury which is very deleterious to the growth of the nervous system of the foetus. Raw and undercooked meat and vegetables can harbor bacteria like toxoplasma and cause infections like toxoplasmosis and better be avoided.

To ensure that the foods that need to be refrigerated are fresh they need to be bought last at the grocery. Fruits with broken skin, unpasteurised juices and pre-stuffed non vegetarian foods should be avoided. Meat, poultry and fish should be stored in separated bags so that their juices do not get into other foods. Wash hands with hot water and soap before cooking food. Since prevention is better than cure it is ideal that above steps are followed, nonetheless if one is afflicted with an infection, homoeopathic medicine is second to none. Arsenic alb is a remedy which gets rid of infection which has been contracted through eating refrigerated foods. If it is the abdominal pain, nausea and diarrhoea, Nux vomica fits the bill. If fever sets in with an abdominal pain, Baptisia is a better remedy. If diarrhoea is more troublesome, Aloes helps while Ipecac never fails when the stomach lining is affected and nausea is predominant.