Name: Food Poisoning
Uploaded: 2019-07-19
Duration: 7 min 8 s
Description: We've all gotten food poisoning before, and it's terrible. So what causes it? Just a little bit of bacteria called E. coli, that's all. Let's check them out!

Question

Food poisoning is generally categorised as an infectious disease because it is usually caused by bacteria (such as E. coli). However, we cannot infect other people with our food poisoning as we can infect them with measles. Why are food poisoning and measles both considered infectious diseases?

Accepted Answer

Because both diseases are caused by organisms like bacteria and virus that can spread throughout a population, they are considered infectious diseases. Symptoms of food poisoning vary but can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal cramps. Food poisoning that is caused by certain bacteria, viruses, or parasites is contagious.

Measles is a highly contagious virus that lives in the nose and throat mucus of an infected person. It can spread to others through coughing and sneezing. If other people breathe the contaminated air or touch the infected surface, then touch their eyes, noses, or mouths, they can become infected.

Food poisoning is not as contagious as measles. It can spread through the infected stools if it is getting mixed with water bodies and the same food has been consumed by others.

Food poisoning is generally categorised as an infectious disease because it is usually caused by bacteria (such as E. coli). However, we cannot infect other people with our food poisoning as we can infect them with measles. Why are food poisoning and measles both considered infectious diseases?

Important Questions on Microorganisms: Friend and Foe

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