Michigan Food Safety Management Practice Test

What type of illness results from consuming food contaminated by a virus?

1. Bacterial Infection

2. Foodborne Intoxication

3. Viral Infection

4. Allergic Reaction

The correct answer is: Viral Infection

Consuming food contaminated by a virus leads to a viral infection. Viruses are pathogens that can cause foodborne illnesses when they enter the body through contaminated food or water. Unlike bacterial infections, which involve the growth and replication of bacteria, viral infections occur when the virus itself infects the cells in the gastrointestinal tract. Viruses such as norovirus and hepatitis A are common causes of foodborne outbreaks. They can spread through improper food handling, contaminated water, or contact with infected individuals. Symptoms of a viral infection may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps, which generally resolve on their own without the need for antibiotics, as antibiotics are ineffective against viruses. Other options represent different causes of foodborne illness: bacterial infections involve bacteria that can multiply in food and cause illness, foodborne intoxication relates to toxins produced by bacteria in food, and allergic reactions are triggered by the immune system's response to specific food proteins. Understanding the distinction is important in food safety management to effectively prevent and respond to various types of foodborne illnesses.