Food poisoning

Overview

Food poisoning, also called foodborne illness, happens when you swallow germs or toxins in food or drinks. Many different germs can cause it, and the symptoms depend on which one you swallowed.

Most cases are mild and get better on their own. Some germs can cause serious illness, especially in young children, pregnant people, older adults, and people with a weak immune system.

Symptoms

Some germs make you sick within hours; others take days. Symptoms can last a few hours or several days.

• Diarrhea
• Stomach pain or cramps
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fever

Less common

• Bloody diarrhea, with some germs like E. coli and Campylobacter
• Headache and body aches
• Belly pain around the belly button
• With botulism (rare): trouble swallowing, blurry or double vision, drooping eyelids, and weakness

How it usually goes

• Hours to days: Symptoms start: 30 minutes to 8 hours for staph toxins, 12 to 48 hours for norovirus, 2 to 5 days for Campylobacter.
• Days 1–3: Most cases are worst now. Keep sipping fluids.
• Days 4–7: Most people are better. Salmonella can last 4 to 7 days.

Look up a symptom: Diarrhea · Fever · Nausea · Pain around the belly button · Stomach pain · Vomiting

When to get medical care

Causes

Many germs cause food poisoning, including norovirus, Salmonella, Campylobacter, E. coli, Listeria, and staph toxins. Some germs come from undercooked meat, poultry, or eggs; raw milk or juice; raw oysters; or unwashed fruits and vegetables.

Germs can also spread to food from hands, cutting boards, and counters, or grow in food left out too long. Food cooked in large batches and kept warm can grow Clostridium perfringens.

Who is more likely to get it

• Children under 5
• Adults 65 and older
• Pregnant people, who are more likely to get sick from Listeria
• People with a weakened immune system

Possible complications

• Dehydration: The most common problem
• Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS): 5 to 10% of people with certain E. coli; kidney damage
• Reactive arthritis: Joint pain weeks later, after Salmonella and others
• Guillain-Barré syndrome: Rare; weakness after Campylobacter

Diagnosis

Most people don't need a test. A healthcare professional will ask about your symptoms and what you ate. Tests are used when symptoms are severe or could be from a germ that needs treatment.

Questions you may be asked

• When symptoms started and what you ate in the days before
• Whether anyone who ate the same food is sick
• Whether there's blood in your stool, and whether you have a fever
• How much you're drinking and peeing
• Recent travel, and whether you ate a recalled food

The exam

They'll check your temperature, blood pressure, and pulse, look for signs of dehydration, and press gently on your belly.

Tests

Sometimes:

• Stool test: Finds the germ, which helps if you have bloody diarrhea, a high fever, or symptoms that last, or if there's an outbreak.
• Blood tests: If you're very dehydrated or very sick.

Treatment

Most food poisoning gets better without medicine. The main treatment is replacing the fluids you lose. Antibiotics are only used for some germs and some people.

Self-care

• Sip fluids often, in small amounts if you're vomiting
• Use an oral rehydration solution (like Pedialyte) for children, and for anyone with lots of diarrhea
• Eat normal foods when your appetite comes back
• Rest
• Wash your hands well, and don't make food for others while you're sick

Medicines

Most people don't need medicine. Some over-the-counter medicines can ease diarrhea in adults.

Medicine names link to drug information from the U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus). OwieClear doesn't give doses: follow the label or your healthcare professional.

If a stool test finds certain bacteria, or you're very sick, your healthcare professional may prescribe an antibiotic. Antibiotics are not used for some germs, like the E. coli that can cause kidney problems, because they can make things worse. Severe dehydration may need fluids through an IV.

How it compares

Prevention

Four simple steps keep food safe:

• Clean: wash hands, cutting boards, and counters often
• Separate: keep raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs away from ready-to-eat foods
• Cook: use a food thermometer to cook food to a safe temperature
• Chill: refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours (1 hour if it's above 90°F outside)
• Avoid raw milk and juice, raw sprouts, and raw flour or dough

Which doctor treats this

• Urgent care or the ER can treat it first. For minor problems, your primary care provider can help.
• Poison Control can help right away, any time: call 1-800-222-1222.

Back to school, work, or sports

• Stay home until 2 days after vomiting and diarrhea stop, especially if you work with food, children, or patients.
• Wash hands well after using the toilet.

Children, pregnancy, and older adults

• Children: Dehydration can happen quickly in young children. Give extra fluids like an oral rehydration solution right away, and call for bloody diarrhea, high fever, or signs of dehydration.
• Pregnancy: Pregnant people are more likely to get Listeria, which can cause miscarriage or stillbirth. Call your doctor if you have a fever and flu-like symptoms. Avoid deli meats unless heated until steaming, raw milk, and soft cheeses made from raw milk.
• Older adults and people with a weak immune system: You're more likely to get very sick. Get care early for symptoms that are more than mild.

Outlook

Most people recover in a few days without lasting problems. Some germs can cause problems that last longer, like reactive arthritis or kidney damage, so watch for warning signs and get care when needed.

Getting ready for your visit

A little preparation helps your healthcare professional find the cause.

What to bring

• What you ate and drank in the days before you got sick
• When symptoms started, and how often you have diarrhea or vomiting
• Whether others who ate the same food are sick
• Recent travel and medicines

Questions to ask

• Do I need a stool test?
• Is it safe to take an anti-diarrhea medicine?
• Should I report this to the health department?
• When can I go back to work, especially if I handle food?

Research studies

Research studies test new ways to find and treat health problems. Some are looking for volunteers. Talk with your doctor before joining one.

Search ClinicalTrials.gov for studies on Food poisoning