Food Poisoning
Food Poisoning
Food is one of the basic necessities for the survival of human beings. Without food, humans will not be able to get the energy to perform even basic everyday tasks. But, there are times when consuming contaminated food can lead to stomach aches and excessive discomfort. The stomachache and discomfort caused due to intake of contaminated food are known as food poisoning. Food poisoning can also lead to several other discomforts like vomiting, diarrhoea, dehydration, and several other issues as well.
While getting sick is in itself an issue, one of the issues is the hospital bills that arise due to the disease. If you are hospitalised due to an illness, you will have massive hospital bills to take care of. And with time, the costs of getting treatments are rising due to technological advancements. This is where a health insurance plan can help you. A health insurance plan covers the expenses arising due to hospitalisation. With a suitable medical insurance plan, managing your hospitalisation expenses becomes easier.
If you are seeking the right health insurance plan, you do not need to look further than Tata AIG. With Tata AIG, you can choose from different health insurance plans, each plan with comprehensive coverage to ensure that you receive optimal coverage at the time of need. There are many benefits of health insurance, including health insurance tax benefits. The health insurance premium that you need to pay for the plan of your choice can be calculated using the health insurance premium calculator. Moreover, the process of buying health insurance online is simple and efficient.
Let us get into the details of food poisoning, treatments of food poisoning, possible home remedies for food poisoning, etc.
Car Insurance Calculator
Bike Insurance Calculator
Travel Insurance Calculator
IDV Calculator
What is Food Poisoning?
Food poisoning is one of the food-borne illnesses that is caused because of the consumption of infected and toxic food. The severity levels of the disease can increase if you have ingested food containing harmful chemicals or high levels of bacteria, parasites, and viruses.
Ignoring the food poisoning symptoms can cause harm to the stomach and organs. Food poisoning can cause harm to the gastrointestinal tract and damage other organs like the brain, muscles, and kidneys. Thus, if you have food poisoning symptoms, it is advisable to contact a doctor on time.
Types of Food Poisoning
According to the causes of food poisoning, different types of food poisoning can take place. Here are some of the common types of food poisoning:
Bacteria
Food poisoning bacteria like Listeria, Salmonella, and E.Coli are often present in the food. These food-poisoning bacteria are known to contaminate food and cause food poisoning. Salmonella is especially one such bacteria that causes stomach discomfort and enhances the illness's effects.
Campylobacter and C. botulinum are also types of bacteria that can be found in different food items. Moreover, other than these, there are several other types of food-poisoning bacteria that might cause issues.
If you feel that this can be one of the causes of food poisoning, then you should consult a doctor to understand the bacteria causing the illness in detail.
Parasites
Some parasites are also responsible for causing food poisoning in human beings, leading to organ damage. Toxoplasma is one parasite that contaminates food and causes food poisoning. The parasite is found mostly in cat litter boxes and can remain in the digestive tract for years without any notice.
People with weak immune systems and pregnant women can suffer a lot if the parasite enters the intestines. This is one of the major causes of food poisoning and should not be ignored.
Hence, if you notice any food poisoning symptoms, contacting a doctor is advisable.
Virus
Different types of viruses, like the Norwalk virus or the Norovirus, can cause food poisoning in human beings. Astrovirus, Sapovirus, and Rotavirus are also some of the rare variants that are the cause of food poisoning in humans.
Usually, viruses tend to be less harmful than food poisoning bacteria, but Hepatitis A is one of the virus variants that can prove to be fatal. If the virus is transmitted through food, it can damage the organs significantly.
It is essential to keep a check on the types of food poisoning and understand the causes of food poisoning in detail to notice any changes in your body. If you have food poisoning symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.
Food Poisoning Symptoms
Understanding the food poisoning symptoms is essential to know regarding any changes occurring in the human body. The symptoms of food poisoning can stay for a few days, depending on the severity of the illness. Most of the symptoms appear within an hour of infection. Here is a list of some of the common food poisoning symptoms:
Headaches
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Appetite loss
Abdominal cramps
Weakness
Nausea
Fever
If you have any discomfort, contacting the doctor would be in your best interest. This will help them immediately diagnose the disease and provide you with the right food poisoning medicine.
If you have the below-listed symptoms, you should immediately call the doctor:
Blood in your urine
Lack of urination
Unable to swallow food or drink water
Speech/vision difficulty
Diarrhoea that continues for a period of more than 3 days
Dehydration
Fever - 101.5°F or higher
Food Poisoning Treatments
Food poisoning treatment is easy if you proceed in the right way. There are some home remedies for food poisoning that you need to take care of. Ideally, if you have mild food poisoning, you will recover within 3 to 4 days. Here are some food poisoning treatments that you can try:
If you have food poisoning, it is always advisable that you keep yourself hydrated. You can drink ORS to help maintain your energy levels. Fruit juice and coconut water are also great drinks for getting the needed carbohydrates and fighting the fatigue caused by the illness.
You should avoid drinking caffeinated drinks like coffee or tea. Instead of drinking these, you can drink soothing herbal teas that will soothe the stomach and provide comfort. Chamomile tea and peppermint tea are some of the best options. This is one of the home remedies for food poisoning.
You should take time to rest and not do any activities that might cause fatigue.
Food poisoning medicine that can be bought over the counter includes Imodium and Pepto-Bismol. These are the food poisoning medicines if the food poisoning is mild, and these can help you manage diarrhoea and vomiting. But, if the food poisoning is severe, it is advisable to consult your doctor and take medication.
In case of severe food poisoning, an individual might need to stay in the hospital for some time. Thus, getting timely treatment is essential to avoid getting hospitalised.
Methods to Avoid Food Poisoning
Any food-borne disease can be avoided by maintaining proper hygiene and food choices. Before consumption of vegetables or meat, it is essential to cook them properly.
Usually, shellfish, poultry, and eggs contain food-poisoning bacteria that can cause harm if you eat them uncooked or raw. Also, if you eat food with dirty hands or from a surface that is not clean, you might get food poisoning.
Here are some of the top food to avoid if you have any stomach disorders:
Raw fish items and sushi
Hot dogs that are uncooked
Butter, paneer, cheese, or any other food made from unpasteurised milk
Unwashed and raw vegetables and fruits
Ground beef
Unfiltered water
For anyone who has a weak immune system, food poisoning can cause a lot of discomfort and can be fatal in some cases. Thus, if you have stomach issues or a weak immune system, you must cook your food properly and always maintain hygiene.
Why is a Health Insurance Plan Required?
With healthcare costs increasing rapidly, a health insurance plan ensures that you have the financial help required if there is a medical emergency. Due to advancements in technology, the treatments of various diseases have become quite accessible, but the costs are also increasing. Having a medical insurance plan ensures that you have access to the treatment that you need without having to worry about the costs of the treatment.
Some of the reasons for buying a health insurance plan are
Medical emergencies
Any medical emergency does not give you a signal before it is about to arrive. It is unexpected and can catch you off guard if you do not have a health insurance plan. With a medical insurance plan, you can be assured that you have financial help if there is a medical emergency. Also, you will not have to cause a dip in your savings which can be used for other things.
Cashless hospitalisation
One of the top benefits of health insurance is cashless hospitalisation. If you get treatment at one of the insurer's network hospitals, you will not have to discharge the hospital bills yourself. The insurer will work with the hospital and take care of all the bills, subject to the terms and conditions mentioned in the policy.
Range of diseases
Medical insurance provides coverage for various diseases as mentioned in the policy document. It is essential to understand the inclusions of the policy before you buy it. Comprehensive coverage ensures that you do not have to turn to your savings if there is a medical emergency.
Less stress and peace of mind
With medical insurance, you will be at peace knowing you are financially covered against various medical emergencies and diseases. This will free you from stress and ensure you can live your life without worrying about medical issues and emergency hospitalisation.
How to Purchase Tata AIG Medical Insurance?
Medical insurance from Tata AIG can be bought offline as well as online. No matter your purchase mode, the process will be efficient and hassle-free. Once you have initiated the process, you will have your health insurance plan without having to wait for long.
Online Purchase
Visit the Tata AIG website so that you can buy an accurate plan.
Now, you need to decide whether you want to purchase a medical insurance plan for yourself, your mother and father, your child, or your spouse.
Once you have made the selection, click the option that states Get Plan.
Now, add all the required details, like your residential address, phone number, yearly income, etc.
A list with all the plans that will be right for you as per your inputs will be displayed to you.
You have to choose the right sum insured, depending on your requirements.
Browse the listed plans and choose one that is suitable for you.
Once you have selected the plan, tap on the Buy Now button.
The Tata AIG team will contact you to ask if you need help with the purchase or selection.
If everything is accurate, the policy will be sent to you within some time.
Offline Purchase
Find a Tata AIG centre near where you currently reside.
Go to the centre, depending on your convenience.
At the centre, enter the reception area and provide the staff with the reason for your visit.
Someone from the centre will meet you and explain the options in detail.
If you select the plan, you will be asked by the centre to fill out the application form for the plan.
You need to submit all the details and required documents to the centre along with your application form.
Pay the premium for the plan that you have selected.
After this, the process of purchasing a medical insurance plan is complete. You will get your health insurance plan within a period of a few days after your application, and the submitted documents have been verified.
Documents Needed to Buy a Health Insurance Plan from Tata AIG
To get medical insurance from Tata AIG, the required documents that you need to submit are
ID proof
Residence proof
Age proof
Documents that have all the details regarding your medical history
Coloured photographs
Income proof
Disclaimer / TnC
Your policy is subjected to terms and conditions & inclusions and exclusions mentioned in your policy wording. Please go through the documents carefully.