Viruses in food: How can you protect yourself? – Naturopathy Naturopathy Specialist Portal
What viruses are lurking in many foods
When it comes to in these days of viruses, then most of the corona virus. In terms of food SARS-CoV-2 but plays no detectable role. The majority of virus diseases on food are caused by noroviruses, rotaviruses and Hepatitis viruses. So be able to protect themselves from the pathogens.
The Federal Institute for risk assessment (BfR) informs to the world of food safety on 7. June 2020 the four most common viruses in food and how to protect yourself from these pathogens. Especially, Noro – and rotaviruses, as well as the causative agents of Hepatitis A and E play here the main role.
Simple rules to protect
“He who heeds the simple rules of kitchen hygiene, can reduce the risk of infection considerably,” says Professor Dr. Dr. Andreas Hensel, President of BfR. Most of the germs in food are sensitive to heat and at a temperature of 70 degrees over at least two minutes, which effectively killed off. Raw food such as salad and fruit should be thoroughly washed and in addition, a contact between ready-to-eat and raw foods be avoided (e.g.: raw meat and salad on the same surface to prepare).
Where are noroviruses?
Noroviruses can cause gastro-intestinal disorders. Typical symptoms are diarrhea, Nausea, and vomiting. The pathogen is often transmitted through uncooked food such as salad, fruit and seafood. Also through contaminated surfaces, or direct person-to-person infection, the Virus can be transmitted. Even frozen products such as berries may contain norovirus, as the Virus is resistant to cold. In the year 2019, it came to chewing the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) to 78.679 known Norovirus infections in Germany.
Rotavirus can be transmitted through food
Similar to norovirus, also rotavirus gastro-intestinal disorders, which are characterized by diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain cause. According to the BfR children are particularly at risk. In rare cases, infection through food, it could be done. According to the RKI, it came in the year 2019 36.876 Rotavirus infections in Germany.
Acute liver inflammation due to Hepatitis E
Hepatitis E in humans caused acute liver inflammation. In most cases, infection occurs due to not enough heated meat of pigs or wild pigs. These animals are often infected with Hepatitis E, however, show no signs of disease. That is why pork meat should always be completely cooked through, since the pathogens are not distributed only on the surface, but throughout the meat. In the year 2019, according to RKI to 3.725 Hepatitis E infections in Germany.
Hepatitis A is mainly imported
Diseases caused by Hepatitis A virus are similar to inflammation due to Hepatitis E-induced liver. Doctors speak of an infectious jaundice. In Germany Hepatitis A virus are rare. The majority of Germans are infected during a trip abroad with the Virus, often through contaminated food or drinking water. In isolated cases of imported food contaminated with Hepatitis A. The RKI recorded in the year 2019, a total of 873 cases of infection. (vb)
Authors and source of information
This Text meets the requirements of the medical literature, medical guidelines, as well as current studies and was examined by doctors and Medical scientists.
