``Please Cook the fish, Shellfish, and Beef Before Eating.``

Since the Dong-a Il-bo(June 28, page A 31) reported the death caused by the vibrio septicemia, people are paying more attention to the summer food poisoning. Bacteria or virus- contaminated food is the cause of the most of the food poisoning cases. When the `poisonous substance` of these microbes irritates the stomach, symptoms of diarrhea, stomach pain, and vomiting appear. Especially, a special attention is required since the hot and humid rainy season offers the best condition for the propagation to the microbes that cause the various contagious diseases. Most of the food poisonings can be cured within 2-3 days along with the treatment of the symptoms. However, it is better to see the doctor when the stomach pain and high fever continue.

- Salmonella food poisoning: Salmonellae are parasitic on the intestines of the cow, pig, and chicken. When the food is preserved at the normal temperature for a long extended period of time during the rainy season, bacteria rapidly multiply. Recently, dogs and cats are also pointed as the major source of contamination. Children are more susceptible to the salmonella food poisoning than adults. After one day of incubation period, symptoms of stomach pain, diarrhea, and nausea appear. This can be mistaken as a cold because the hot fever continues. Salmonella can be pasteurized by the heat of 60-65 Celsius for 30 minutes. Therefore, the best way for preventing this poisoning is to cook the food and preserve the rest of the food in the refrigerator.

- Vibrio septicemia: This is a very dangerous food poisoning that has 40-60 percent of lethality rate. `Vibrio vulnificus` is the cause. Vibrio septicemia breaks out during June through October every year. When people with weak immune system due to the chronic lever disease, diabetes, and alcohol addiction eat raw fish and raw shellfish, they are susceptible to vibrio septicemia. After 1-2 days of the incubation period, symptoms of fever, stomach pain, and vomiting appear. When it is serious, water blisters appear and skin becomes rotten. 10 out of 16 patients died last year. Since it is vulnerable to heat, to cook the fish is a way to prevent it. If symptoms of chill and fever appear after eating raw fish, one should go to the hospital right away.

- Vibrio enteritis: Vibrio bacteria are the cause. 10-18 hours later after eating raw fish, more than five times of diarrhea and vomiting follow along with the stomach pain. When there is dehydration due to the serious diarrhea, one should consult a doctor. Since this is often acquired through hands, one should wash hands after coming back from the outside or before eating food.

- Staphylococcus food poisoning: This is often parasitic on hands. When it is present on hands and nose mucous membrane, it is transferred to food and then multiplies. Especially, protein-rich food, such as ham, mil, and cheese, is the hotbed of the staphylococcus. Since the incubation period is very short, symptoms like stomach pain and diarrhea appear a few hours after eating. Because the bacteria are not destroyed by heat, it is the best way to throw away the food that has gone bad.

- 0-157 E. coli enteritis: 1-9 days after eating a rotten hamburger or juice, symptoms of the acute stomach pain and the serious diarrhea appear. Some patients suffer from `hemolytic uremic syndrome`, which is characterized by the destruction of the red blood cells and a sudden acute kidney failure. One should go to the hospital since this is a serious condition.

(Advice: Professor Kim Sung-Min, Samsung Seoul Hospital, Professor Kim Su-Yong, Hanlim University Kangdong Sungshim Hospital, Suh Jung-Ah, Director of Pediatrics, Saeran Hospital)

Yun Sang-Ho ysh1005@donga.com