Food Poisoning : Common Symptoms of Food Poisoning

Food poisoning, also called foodborne illness, is illness caused by eating contaminated food. Infectious organisms — including bacteria, viruses and parasites — or their toxins are the most common causes of food poisoning.

Infectious organisms or their toxins can contaminate food at any point of processing or production. Contamination can also occur at home if food is incorrectly handled or cooked.

Food poisoning symptoms, which can start within hours of eating contaminated food, often include nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Most often, food poisoning is mild and resolves without treatment. But some people need to go to the hospital.

Food Poisoning Symptoms

Food poisoning symptoms can be anywhere from mild to very serious. Your symptoms may be different depending on the germ you swallowed. The most common symptoms of food poisoning are:

• Upset stomach
• Stomach cramps
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Fever

After you swallow an unsafe (contaminated) food or drink, it may take hours or days to develop symptoms. If you have symptoms of food poisoning, such as diarrhea or vomiting, drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration (not having enough water in your body).

Serious Health Problems and Long-Term Effects From Food Poisoning

Most people have only mild illnesses, lasting a few hours to several days. However, some people need to be hospitalized, and some illnesses cause long-term health problems or even death. Infections spread by food can lead to:

• Chronic arthritis
• Brain and nerve damage
• Kidney failure caused by hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS)

Some germs make you sick within a few hours after you swallow them. Others may take a few days to make you sick. This list provides the symptoms, when symptoms begin, and common food sources for germs that cause food poisoning. The germs are listed in order of how quickly symptoms begin.

Staphylococcus aureus (Staph)

• Symptoms begin 30 minutes to 8 hours after exposure: Nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps. Most people also have diarrhea.
• Common food sources: Foods that are not cooked after handling, such as sliced meats, puddings, pastries, and sandwiches.

Vibrio

• Symptoms begin 2 to 48 hours after exposure: Watery diarrhea, nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting, fever, chills.
• Common food sources: Raw or undercooked shellfish, particularly oysters.

Clostridium perfringens

• Symptoms begin 6 to 24 hours after exposure: Diarrhea, stomach cramps. Usually begins suddenly and lasts for less than 24 hours. Vomiting and fever are not common.
• Common food sources: Beef or poultry, especially large roasts; gravies; dried or precooked foods

Salmonella

Symptoms begin 6 hours to 6 days after exposure: Diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps, vomiting

• Common food sources: Raw or undercooked chicken, turkey, and meat; eggs; unpasteurized (raw) milk and juice; raw fruits and vegetables
• Other sources : Many animals, including backyard poultry, reptiles and amphibians, and rodents (pocket pets).

Norovirus

• Symptoms begin 12 to 48 hours after exposure: Diarrhea, nausea/stomach pain, vomiting
• Common food sources: Leafy greens, fresh fruits, shellfish (such as oysters) or unsafe water.
  Other sources : Infected person; touching surfaces that have the virus on them

Clostridium botulinum (Botulism)

• Symptoms begin 18 to 36 hours after exposure: Double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech. Difficulty swallowing and breathing, dry mouth. Muscle weakness and paralysis. Symptoms start in the head and move down as the illness gets worse.
• Common food sources: Improperly canned or fermented foods, usually homemade. Prison-made illicit alcohol (pruno).

Campylobacter

• Symptoms begin 2 to 5 days after exposure: Diarrhea (often bloody), stomach cramps/pain, fever
• Common food sources: Raw or undercooked poultry, raw (unpasteurized) milk, and contaminated water

E. coli (Escherichia coli)

• Symptoms begin 3 to 4 days after exposure: Severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting. Around 5­­–10% of people diagnosed with E. coli develop a life-threatening health problem.
• Common food sources: Raw or undercooked ground beef, raw (unpasteurized) milk and juice, raw vegetables (such as lettuce), raw sprouts, unsafe water

Cyclospora

• Symptoms begin 1 week after exposure: Watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Stomach cramps/pain, bloating, increased gas, nausea, and fatigue.
• Common food sources: Raw fruits or vegetables and herbs

Listeria

• Symptoms begin 1 to 4 weeks after exposure: Pregnant women usually have a fever and other flu-like symptoms, such as fatigue and muscle aches. Infections during pregnancy can lead to serious illness or even death in newborns.
  Other people (most often older adults): headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions in addition to fever and muscle aches.
• Common food sources: Queso fresco and other soft cheeses, raw sprouts, melons, hot dogs, pâtés, deli meats, smoked seafood, and raw (unpasteurized) milk

Lifestyle and home remedies

Food poisoning often improves without treatment within 48 hours. To help keep yourself more comfortable and prevent dehydration while you recover, try the following:

• Let your stomach settle. Stop eating and drinking for a few hours.
• Try sucking on ice chips or taking small sips of water. You might also try drinking clear soda, clear broth or noncaffeinated sports drinks. You might also try oral rehydration solutions if you have severe dehydration symptoms or diarrhea. You’re getting enough fluid when you’re urinating normally and your urine is clear and not dark.
• Probiotics. Your doctor may recommend trying probiotics. Ask your doctor before trying probiotics.
• Ease back into eating. Gradually begin to eat bland, low-fat, easy-to-digest foods, such as soda crackers, toast, gelatin, bananas and rice. Stop eating if your nausea returns.
• Avoid certain foods and substances until you’re feeling better. These include dairy products, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, and fatty or highly seasoned foods.
• Rest. The illness and dehydration can weaken and tire you.

Source : mayoclinic.org , cdc.gov