What is true about bacterial intoxication?

Bacterial intoxication specifically refers to a condition caused by ingesting toxins that are produced by bacteria rather than the bacteria themselves. In this scenario, the bacteria may have grown in food and produced toxins, which can cause illness when consumed. This type of foodborne illness often results from pre-formed toxins, meaning that the food can be contaminated without the bacteria being present at the time of consumption. Therefore, the illness can occur even if the bacteria have been killed during cooking.

In contrast, the other statements do not align with the definition of bacterial intoxication. For example, viral infections are caused by viruses, not bacteria, which negates the idea that intoxication could be caused by them. Cooking may eliminate live bacteria, but it does not necessarily destroy all toxins produced, particularly if they have formed prior to cooking. Lastly, bacterial intoxication often leads to a rapid onset of symptoms because the toxins act quickly once ingested, which is a characteristic of this type of foodborne illness.