“Food poisoning” is a broad term that can actually cover a whole lot of different infections. Your exact symptoms and how bad they are will vary. They will depend on the kind of bacteria, virus, or
parasite that’s infected you, how much is in your system, and how well your immune system is fighting it off. Despite the wide range of types, most cases of
food poisoning cause some mix of the following: If you have a mild case, you might think you have a “stomach flu” or virus. You may get better without any treatment. But some people have such bad symptoms that they may need to go to the hospital. Cramps in your
stomach and gut, diarrhea, and vomiting may start as early as 1 hour after eating tainted food and as late as 10 days or longer. It depends on what is causing the infection. Some other possible, common symptoms of a variety of food poisonings might include: Some symptoms mean you should seek medical help immediately: You’ve probably heard of the some of the bad bugs that can cause food poisoning: Botulism is a rare but severe type of bacterial food poisoning. Clostridium botulinum is the bacteria that causes botulism. It grows on food that hasn’t been cooked or stored at the right temperatures to kill it or stop it from growing. This sometimes happens with foods that have been canned at home. Babies can get it from foods that have bacteria in them, because they don’t have the natural defenses that older children and adults do. Honey is the most common food that can infect a baby with botulism -- never give it to a baby under 1 year of age. Symptoms might include:
Call 911 if you see any symptoms of botulism in yourself or a loved one. Food Poisoning Risk FactorsAnyone who eats contaminated food can get ill from food poisoning. But just how sick you get depends on what the infection is, how much of it you’re exposed to, your age, and your health. Certain groups of people have a greater chance of getting seriously sick from food poisoning:
Food Poisoning DiagnosisTo diagnose food poisoning, your doctor will review your medical history, including your symptoms, how long you’ve had them, and what foods you’ve eaten. They’ll also ask whether you’ve traveled, and they may ask whether anyone else at home has these symptoms. Based on what they find out, they may test your urine to see if you’re dehydrated. They may also take blood and stool samples to try and trace the organism that has caused your illness. If they find out the organism, they may contact your local health department to see if there’s an outbreak. It’s not always possible to find the exact cause. Viral gastroenteritis, or “stomach flu,” has several symptoms that are a lot like those of food poisoning, including: Just like with food
poisoning, you may have a fever. But it will be a low-grade one (less than 101 F). Your head and muscles could also hurt. These symptoms often start within 1 to 3 days of when you catch the infection. They usually last just a day or 2, but can go on as long as 10 days. When Should I Call a Doctor?A mild case of food poisoning usually passes on its own with just rest and lots of fluids. But if you or a loved one has any signs of botulism or life-threatening illness, call 911 right away. Will you always vomit with food poisoning?In fact, food poisoning often results in an initial bout of forceful, projectile vomiting. For some people it subsides, while others continue to vomit intermittently ( 10 ). If you're vomiting continuously and can't keep fluids down, you should seek help from a doctor or pharmacist to avoid becoming dehydrated.
Can there be food poisoning without diarrhea?What You Should Know About Vomiting Without Diarrhea: Most vomiting is caused by a viral infection of the stomach. Sometimes, mild food poisoning is the cause. Vomiting is the body's way of protecting the lower gut.
What can be mistaken for food poisoning?It can be hard to differentiate between food poisoning and the flu; often the symptoms are similar if not identical. While different types of pathogenic bacteria can cause different symptoms, food poisoning generally presents itself with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and fever.
How do you know if it's food poisoning or something else?Severe Symptoms
Persistent and more severe food poisoning symptoms are a cause for concern. For example, frequent bouts of vomiting and an inability to keep fluids down are great reasons for consulting a doctor. Also, look for bloody stools and blood in vomit.
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