by Joy Solomon

Created on: May 13, 2008

Following a cyclone ,hurricane or tsunami supply of fresh fruit and vegetables is very limited in some areas due to crop damage. Many of us will be going without fresh food for some time while others will be depending on tinned fish and meat for protein.

Tinned foot can be kept for much longer than fresh food and can provide the basis for nutrition's meals when used properly. Spoiled tinned goods however can be extremely dangerous to your health. When buying tinned foods check for the following danger signs:

Dents in tins-particularly crushed tins. Damage to the outside of tins can start bacteria growing inside.
Rusty tins-damaged tins should be discarded immediately. Once you have opened tinned food, check the inside of the tin itself. If there is an odor or the inside of the tin is rusty,dispose the food promptly.If the food is spoiled,it could cause serious sickness.Symptoms of food poisoning are stomach pains,vomiting and diarrhea.If you have any of this symptoms see a doctor immediately.

Begin increasing your intake of fluids such as clean boiled water,fresh fruit juice and clear soups.

Cleanliness is always important but particularly so after a cyclone.Contaminated water or limited water supply resulting from damage by cyclone can easily give the proper conditions for food poisoning.

The effects of food poisoning can be mild but you can suffer seriously if care is not taken to prevent food spoilage or contamination.

Mothers who are breastfeeding a child should continue to do so.Breastfeeding is much safer in times when water is not safe to drink.

Young children ,old people and sick members of the family are more vulnerable to food poisoning.

Dehydration (where the body loses to much fluids) occurs during diarrhea.This can be a matter of life and death,especially for infants and young children.Plenty soups,juices and beverages must be given to sick person to replace lost fluids.

An oral re hydration solutions (ORS) is available free at all health centres.This is a special drink for children who have diarrhea.It is helpful for sick adults too.

You can also make this special drink at home by mixing two glasses of cool boiled water with half teaspoon of sugar.A squeeze lemon juice may be added to this drink.

Diarrhea patients should drink this mixture frequently in small amounts to replace lost fluids.

I hope the above tips will come handy for your family when you encounter cyclones,hurricanes or tsunami,during which there will be short supply of fresh fruit and vegetables and more tinned foods will be consumed.

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