My fight with reactive arthritis aged my body about 5 years. I’m in good shape, but am slower and lack the range of motion I used to have. More frightening than the physical aspect is the mental and emotional challenge that remains.
Now that I know I am particularly susceptible to reactive arthritis I am always thinking about its possible return. I am constantly worried about food and whether it is safe to eat. While I do have my suspicions, I still lack any tangible proof of where my foodborne illness originated, so I find that I am skeptical about every place I eat. I don’t know if that insecurity will ever go away.
I support efforts at better oversight and clearer regulation of the food system. I appreciate Stop Foodborne Illness taking action toward ensuring that no one else ever has to suffer the horrible consequences that I faced (and continue to face) because of something I ate.
Health Challenges that can arise due to food poisoning include high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney damage, chronic arthritis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, brain and neurological issues, a compromised immune system, and more.
Kidney failure or Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) is a serious illness that usually occurs when an infection in the digestive system produces toxic substances that destroy red blood cells, causing kidney injury.
HUS may occur after infection with some kinds of E. coli bacteria. Those who have suffered from HUS may be at risk for other kidney-related problems later in life.
These annual checkups should be performed:
Blood Pressure — scarring of the kidney tissue from HUS could cause high blood pressure early in life
Urine Exam — elevated protein levels in the urine may be indicative of kidney damage
Blood Test — to further measure kidney function
Information about HUS can be found here and here .
For information on dialysis click here and here .
A small number of persons with Campylobacter, Shigella, or Salmonella infections develop pain in their joints, irritation of the eyes, and painful urination called Reactive Arthritis. This arthritic inflammation can last for months or years and can lead to chronic arthritis, which is difficult to treat.
Learn more about Reactive Arthritis here and here.
Listeria infections can lead to meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain. If a newborn infant or fetus is infected with Listeria, long-term consequences may include mental retardation, seizures, paralysis, blindness, or deafness.
Read a survivor’s story here.
Foodborne bacterial infections can also precipitate Guillain-Barré syndrome — a rare disorder that affects the nerves of the body. This occurs when a person’s immune system attacks the body’s own nerves.
It can result in paralysis that lasts several weeks and usually requires intensive care. As many as 40% of Guillain-Barré syndrome cases in the U.S. may be triggered by a Campylobacter infection.
If you or a loved one has been affected by any of these long-term complications, we would like to hear your story.
In 2008, an Associated Press article featuring one of Stop’s constituent advocates highlighted the need for increased awareness and research of the long-term health consequences of foodborne illness. At age 5, Alyssa was hospitalized as a result of E. coli poisoning, the source of which was tainted hamburger from a fast food restaurant.
Alyssa, now an adult, suffers from a myriad of health problems including high blood pressure, chronic colon inflammation, and endometriosis.
Included in the article was this statement from Dr. Robert Tauxe of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Folks often assume once you’re over the acute illness, that’s it, you’re back to normal and that’s the end of it. [The long-term consequences] are an important but relatively poorly documented, poorly studied area of foodborne illness.”
Be Your Own Best Health Advocate: Not all medical professionals are well-versed in foodborne illness-related issues. Commit yourself to becoming an expert on your specific health challenges and needs, and finding the most competent professionals who can best treat you.
Be Diligent About Self-Care: Good self-care includes eating healthy, fresh, whole foods; moving your body (as best you can); keeping stress at bay; and doing the simple things that help you feel calm, soothed, and less overwhelmed such as praying, doing yoga, sipping tea or broth, reading a book, taking long walks, or enjoying a warm bath. Good self-care does wonders for accelerating the body’s ability to heal itself.
Recruit Other Advocates: Reach out to friends, family, health professionals you trust, religious leaders, and other advocates to get support, ask questions, gather helpful resources, learn more, and, perhaps, find or be a listening ear.
Talk to Other Survivors: We often hear that fellow survivors are the #1 source of support and information for those struggling with the aftermath of a foodborne illness because they’ve already “walked that road”. In addition to giving sound advice on finding a new normal, they can also be a good source for finding diagnostic and treatment information.
Emotional health challenges are common among those impacted by foodborne illness: For example, grieving over a loved one, or the loss of your own health, financial security, social life, identity; Feeling angry or betrayed about how your life has changed; Suffering depression, making it harder to be motivated to do things you once enjoyed.
Getting Help
Seek Professional Counseling: For people experiencing extreme challenges like severe depression, post-traumatic stress, or panic attacks, meeting with a professional counselor provides a high level of expert care in a one-on-one format.
Social Challenges happen when people are struck with a foodborne illness, bringing a little change —or sometimes a lot. Maintaining positive relationships can be tougher. Once enjoyable activities like cooking and eating out can bring on worry, fear, and panic. For some, they become downright scary.
Getting Help
Be Patient with Yourself: Process what you’re going through —feeling stable one day and angry the next. Give yourself permission to heal at your own pace and progress on your own timeline
Stop Foodborne Illness is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent the law allows.
