How do I know if I have food poisoning?
It can be hard to tell where an infection came from, especially if it took some days to develop symptoms. You may be able to trace it back to something you ate if:
- You ate something commonly associated with food poisoning.
- You were with someone else who also got sick.
What does food poisoning feel like?
The most common food poisoning symptoms include:
- Diarrhea.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Stomach pain and cramping.
- Fever.
- Headache.
- Weakness.
How soon after food poisoning do you vomit?
It depends on the type of infection. Some of the most common bacterial infections can take hold within a few hours. Others need time to incubate in your system before they become toxic. Some infections may take a few days, and some can take a few weeks.
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How do you get food poisoning?
You get it by eating or drinking contaminated food, water or other beverages. Food can become contaminated at any stage of production, from harvesting to storage to cooking or preparation. Contamination occurs when food isn’t:
- Fresh.
- Washed well.
- Handled in a sanitary way.
- Cooked to a safe internal temperature.
- Held at proper temperatures.
- Refrigerated or frozen promptly.
Food poisoning occurs everywhere. But it’s especially easy to get it when traveling abroad, where you might encounter germs that you wouldn’t at home. When you get it this way, it’s sometimes called traveler’s diarrhea.
What types of contaminants cause food poisoning?
Things that may contaminate food and water include:
- Bacteria.
- Viruses.
- Parasites.
- Fungi.
- Toxins.
- Chemicals.
There are more than 250 specific types of food poisoning. Some of the most common causes include:
- Salmonella: Raw eggs and undercooked poultry are common sources of salmonella poisoning. It can also occur from beef, pork, vegetables and processed foods containing these items. Salmonella is the most common bacterial cause of food poisoning in the U.S. It causes the highest number of hospitalizations and deaths from food poisoning.
- E. coli: Usually found in undercooked meat and raw vegetables, E. coli bacteria produce a toxin that irritates your small intestine.
- Listeria: Bacteria in soft cheeses, deli meats, hot dogs and raw sprouts can cause listeriosis, an infection that’s especially dangerous for pregnant people.
- Norovirus: You can get norovirus by eating undercooked shellfish, leafy greens or fresh fruits. You can also get it by consuming food prepared by a sick person. This is the virus most commonly associated with stomach flu.
- Hepatitis A: Viral hepatitis A can be spread through shellfish, fresh produce or water and ice contaminated by poop. It’s not a chronic infection like other hepatitis viruses, but it can affect your liver.
- Staphylococcus: A staph infection occurs when people transfer the staph bacteria from their hands to food. Foods that are often implicated are meats, poultry, milk and dairy products, salads, cream-filled baked goods and sandwich fillings. The bacteria can affect many parts of your body.
- Campylobacter: This common bacterial infection producing severe GI upset can linger for weeks. Usually, culprits are undercooked poultry, meat or eggs, poorly processed meats, contaminated vegetables and raw (unprocessed) milk or water sources. It’s also spread by cross-contamination.
- Shigella: Shigella bacteria is most typically found in uncooked vegetables, shellfish and cream or mayonnaise-based salads (tuna, potato, macaroni, chicken). It can cause blood or mucus in your diarrhea, which is why the infection is sometimes called bacillary dysentery.
Is food poisoning contagious?
The infection can spread from you to another person if they come into contact with your germs. Germs can spread through tiny particles of vomit or poop that linger on surfaces or on fingers and then transfer to another person’s food or mouth.
Who is most at risk from foodborne poisoning?
You may be more likely to get sick from food poisoning — or have a more severe reaction to food poisoning — if your immune system isn’t as strong as average. Things that can impact your immunity include:
- Age. Children under the age of 5 have immature immune systems. Mature immune systems begin to decline after the age of 65.
- Pregnancy. Pregnancy is demanding on your body, leaving you with fewer resources than usual to fight off infections.
- Chronic illnesses. Many chronic conditions can affect your immunity, including infections, cancer, immunodeficiency diseases and autoimmune diseases.
- Medications. Corticosteroids and immunosuppressants can repress your immune system and make you more prone to illness.
What are the possible complications associated with food poisoning?
While complications from food poisoning are rare, they can be severe and, in some cases, even fatal. Severe dehydration is the most common risk, but some specific types of infections can cause other specific complications. For example:
- Miscarriage and stillbirth: Listeria infection is especially dangerous for a developing fetus because the bacteria can cause neurological damage and death.
- Kidney damage: E. coli can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and kidney failure.
- Arthritis: Salmonella and campylobacter bacteria can cause chronic arthritis and joint damage.
- Nervous system and brain damage: Some bacteria or viruses can cause a brain infection called meningitis. Others like campylobacter can cause a neurological disorder called Guillain-Barré syndrome.
