When a child is diagnosed with a life threatening diseases their immune systems are sometimes compromised. What this means is their bodies natural ability to fight off infections and diseases is greatly reduced or reduced so much that it is almost nonexistent.
There are many different diseases and conditions a person can have that can lead to a compromised immune system. A few of them often present in children include cancer and organ transplants. Some children are also born with immune systems that do not function correctly. Other causes include children who are HIV positive or use medications such as Corticosteroids.
When a child has a compromised immune system they are selectable to many pathogens from their environment. Most of these …show more content…
That means cold foods should not be left out on the counter for very long. That rule extents to thawing meats as well. Often when thawing meat it is left out on the counter in the open. This collects pathogens from the air and gives them a place to grow. This might not be a big deal for a healthy body, but children with compromised immune systems should not be exposed to them.
Defrosting or thawing meat will need to be done in the microwave. When using the microwave rotate the food periodically if it does not have a rotating plate that turns automatically. This needs to be done because if small pockets of the food remain frozen they can be a place for bacteria to grow.
When preparing food be sure to wash everything. This includes cans before you open them and fruits and vegetables before you cut them. A big part of maintaining a clean and healthy cooking environment is making sure to wash the knife being used before switching to chop up a new food item.
When cooking or preparing meat, be sure to cook it all the way through will it is well done. There can be no pink or slightly raw meat consumed by a child with a compromised immune system because their body cannot handle dealing with the bacteria that it contains. Meats should be checked with a thermometer. Red meats should read 160° F and poultry 180°
There are many different diseases and conditions a person can have that can lead to a compromised immune system. A few of them often present in children include cancer and organ transplants. Some children are also born with immune systems that do not function correctly. Other causes include children who are HIV positive or use medications such as Corticosteroids.
When a child has a compromised immune system they are selectable to many pathogens from their environment. Most of these …show more content…
That means cold foods should not be left out on the counter for very long. That rule extents to thawing meats as well. Often when thawing meat it is left out on the counter in the open. This collects pathogens from the air and gives them a place to grow. This might not be a big deal for a healthy body, but children with compromised immune systems should not be exposed to them.
Defrosting or thawing meat will need to be done in the microwave. When using the microwave rotate the food periodically if it does not have a rotating plate that turns automatically. This needs to be done because if small pockets of the food remain frozen they can be a place for bacteria to grow.
When preparing food be sure to wash everything. This includes cans before you open them and fruits and vegetables before you cut them. A big part of maintaining a clean and healthy cooking environment is making sure to wash the knife being used before switching to chop up a new food item.
When cooking or preparing meat, be sure to cook it all the way through will it is well done. There can be no pink or slightly raw meat consumed by a child with a compromised immune system because their body cannot handle dealing with the bacteria that it contains. Meats should be checked with a thermometer. Red meats should read 160° F and poultry 180°