FOOD POISONING

The first symptom of food poisoning is usually diarrhea. You might also feel sick to your stomach (nausea), vomit and have stomach cramps.

Most of the time, food poisoning is mild and passes in a few days. However, some types of food poisoning can be more severe. Salmonella, for example, might last more than a week and require a visit to the hospital.

HOW FOOD IS CONTAMINATED

- During processing. It is normal to find bacteria in the intestines of healthy animals. If these organisms come in contact with meat or poultry during processing, they can contaminate the food.

- During growing. Fresh fruits and vegetables can be contaminated if they are washed or irrigated with water that is contaminated with animal manure or human sewage.

- During food handling. Food can be contaminated when an infected person handles it or if it comes in contact with another contaminated product.

- Through the environment. Many harmful organisms are commonly found in dirt, dust and water.

HOW TO PREVENT POISONING

You can prevent most cases of food poisoning by being careful when preparing and storing food. Wash your hands and all work surfaces while preparing food, cook foods to safe temperatures and refrigerate foods promptly. Be especially careful when cooking foods that easily go bad.

Source: WebMD

TODAY

BEECH ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY: 7:30 p.m., society's meeting house and museum, 144 Old Jackson Highway, Beech Island; Erick Montgomery will talk about his book, Thomas Woodrow Wilson: Family Ties and Southern Perspectives; refreshments served; (803) 867-3600,(803) 827-0184.

SIERRA CLUB'S SAVANNAH RIVER GROUP: 6:30 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Church, 3501 Walton Way Extension; with Todd Daniel.

ROSE SOCIETY: 7:30 p.m., First Baptist Church of Augusta, 3500 Walton Way, in the Adult Education Building, Room 105; program will feature a panel of consultants from the Rose Society; (803) 502-0252.

INSTITUTE OF RELIGION AND HEALTH'S GRACE CORPS CLASSES: 6 p.m. Tuesdays, Trinity Hospital on Wrightsboro Road; classes provide training to chaplains, clergy, volunteers assisting in care ministries and disaster and emergency care workers; (706) 722-7656.

MCG BRAIN TUMOR SUPPORT GROUP: 5:30-6:30 p.m., Medical College of Georgia Alumni Center, 15th Street; for patients with brain tumors, their families and loved ones; (706) 721-0193.

WEDNESDAY

SPENCER FRYE: 10 p.m., The Mission, 1157 Broad St.; (706) 722-1233.

THE HOTNESS, KNIVES EXCHANGING HANDS, YOSEMITE MUDFLAP, BY ANY MEANS, BATTLE FOR TOMORROW: 7 p.m., Sector 7G, 631 Ellis St.

PULMONARY FUNCTION SCREENINGS: 10-11:30 a.m., University Hospital, Professional Center 2, Suite 200; free; appointments required; (706) 774-5777.

STORY TIME: 4 p.m. Wednesdays and 10 a.m. Thursdays; Augusta Headquarters Library, 902 Greene St.; groups must register; (706) 821-2623.

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE CLASSES: 6 p.m.; Diamond Lakes Branch Library, 101 Diamond Lakes Way; conducted by Augusta American Sign Language Group; (706) 796-8016.