Food poisoning is either bacterial or viral. There are multiple variations of each type, however, the most common are: Bacillus cereus A type of bacteria commonly found in meats, rice and seafood products. Symptoms generally last for 24 hours and are a result of consuming foods that have had inadequate refrigeration or are not cooked to the correct temperature. You may begin to feel unwell in as little as a few hours after consuming the contaminated food or drink. Unlike many other types of food poisoning, diarrhea is not usually a common symptom. E-Coli A very common form of food poisoning found in the intestines of both animals and humans. E-coli forms a healthy part of the gut, but some strains can be harmful to your health. Symptoms can last up to 10 days, and E-Coli is highly contagious if the infected person does not take precautions to thoroughly wash their hands after use of the toilet or before preparing food. Animals can also carry E-Coli and transmit to humans. It’s common to also be infected by E-Coli from drinking contaminated water or even swimming in contaminated water. More severe cases of E-Coli infection can lead to kidney failure or blood in the stools.

Food poisoning is an illness brought about by consuming foods or drinks that have been contaminated. One of the main reasons why food poisoning occurs is when proper care has not been taken in handling food. If you don’t wash your hands before handling food or don’t keep cold items in the refrigerator, then there’s a high chance for bacteria, toxins or viruses to contaminate the food. Foodborne illnesses account for around 3,000 deaths per year in America alone. Food poisoning generally does not require medical attention, as it usually passes in just a few days, much like a common cold. However, some types of food poisoning are more serious than others. Generally, the elderly, pregnant women or young children and babies are considered high-risk groups.  If you have a pre-existing medical condition you may also suffer from complications as a result of food poisoning, as your immune system may not be able to defend against bacteria and viruses. All of these high-risk groups may even suffer life-threatening side-effects of food poisoning.

If you have noticed any changes in the amount, color or odor of your vaginal discharge, chances are that your vaginal fluids are drifting from the norm. Such changes, especially when accompanied by burning or itching, are an indication that your discharge is not normal. Abnormal vaginal discharge has a foul odor and may appear grey, white, yellow or greenish in color. 5 Vaginal Odors to Put on Your Radar The truth of the matter is that there is no single odor that a healthy vagina should smell like. Different vaginas smell differently and there are certain factors that can cause changes in vaginal odors. Here’s a list of 5 vaginal odors that could help you to know that you are having a vaginal problem: Fishy Odor: In most cases, a fishy odor indicates that a woman is suffering from Bacterial Vaginosis. This is a vaginal disease that occurs as a result of an imbalance of various types of bacteria. The disease is characterized by a thick, frothy discharge that has a strong fishy smell. Therefore it is important for you to seek medical treatment as soon as your nose picks a fishy odor from your vagina. Bloody: If you are not on your period but happen to smell a bloody scent from your vagina, it’s advisable that you seek a doctor’s opinion.

There are a number of things that can cause a bad vaginal discharge:  Bacterial Vaginosis This is a bacterial infection that is likely to occur during pregnancy or when a woman receives oral intercourse. Women with multiple sexual partners are at a high risk of developing Bacterial vaginosis. Symptoms of bacterial vaginosis include an increased amount of vaginal discharge after intercourse, fishy/foul odor, and/or grey/white watery discharge. Nearly half of the women with this infection do not display any symptoms. Trichomoniasis This is a vaginal disease that is caused by a one-celled protozoan, and it is usually spread through sexual intercourse . The fact that protozoans are capable of surviving for up to 24 hours in moist environments makes trichomoniasis transferable through bathing suits and towels. Even though most women don’t display symptoms, the signs that can indicate that one is infected include increased amount of discharge, green/yellow, frothy discharge, foul smell with discharge, inflammation of the vagina, itching and increased frequency of urination Yeast Infection There’s usually a minimal amount of yeast (referred to as Candida albicans) present in the vagina. An overabundance of yeast can occur due to a change in the pH balance of the vagina. When this happens, yeast infections are likely to occur.

There are dietary and cleanliness practices that you can adapt to prevent bad vaginal discharge. These include: -Make a point of drinking lots of water during the day. This helps your body get rid of harmful bacteria and toxins. -Don’t drink too much of caffeine drinks such as tea and coffee. -Avoid sugary drinks such as colas. This is because the excessive sugar in the body creates a good environment for bacterial growth that can trigger vaginal odor. -Avoid munching too much on starchy and spicy foods. -Consume as many citrus foods as possible. They are rich in Vitamin C, which is helpful in boosting the immune system. -Avoid having unprotected sex. If you are under treatment, try as much as possible to avoid sexual intercourse until you are symptom-free. -Avoid having multiple sexual partners. -Don’t douche, and avoid using deodorant soaps, body washes, tampons, and pads. -When infected, make use of pads instead of tampons during menstruation. -Avoid using perfumed petroleum jelly and other scented oils for lubricants. -Choose underwear made of cotton or other breathable fabric. Change your underwear on a daily basis and wash them thoroughly with clean water and soap. -Change sanitary pads frequently during your menstruation.