How fast do you feel the effects of food poisoning

If you think you or someone you know got sick from food, please report it to your local health department. Reporting an illness can help public health officials identify a foodborne disease outbreak and keep others from getting sick.

Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Food Safety. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Food Poisoning Symptoms. Minus Related Pages. On This Page. Symptoms and Sources of Common Food Poisoning Germs Some germs make you sick within a few hours after you swallow them. 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.

It is fully cooked if the juices are clear and there is no pink or red meat. Some meat, such as steaks and joints of beef or lamb, can be served rare not cooked in the middle , as long as the outside has been cooked properly. When reheating food, make sure it is steaming hot all the way through.

Don't reheat food more than once. Certain foods need to be kept at the correct temperature to prevent harmful bacteria from growing and multiplying.

Always check the storage instructions on the label. If food that needs to be chilled is left at room temperature, bacteria can grow and multiply to dangerous levels. Cooked leftovers should be cooled quickly, ideally within a couple of hours, and put in your fridge or freezer. Cross-contamination is when bacteria are transferred from foods usually raw foods to other foods. This can occur when one food touches or drips onto another food, or when bacteria on your hands, work surfaces, equipment or utensils are spread to food.

Home Illnesses and conditions Infections and poisoning Food poisoning. Food poisoning See all parts of this guide Hide guide parts 1. About food poisoning 2. Causes of food poisoning 3. Treating food poisoning 4. Preventing food poisoning. About food poisoning Food poisoning is an illness caused by eating contaminated food. Signs and symptoms The symptoms of food poisoning usually begin within one to two days of eating contaminated food, although they may start at any point between a few hours and several weeks later.

The main symptoms include: feeling sick nausea vomiting diarrhoea , which may contain blood or mucus stomach cramps and abdominal pain a lack of energy and weakness loss of appetite a high temperature fever aching muscles chills In most cases, these symptoms will pass in a few days and you will make a full recovery.

What to do Most people with food poisoning recover at home and don't need any specific treatment, although there are some situations where you should see your GP for advice see below. Read more about treating food poisoning When to see your GP You should contact your GP if: your symptoms are severe — for example, if you're unable to keep down any fluids because you are vomiting repeatedly your symptoms don't start to improve after a few days you have symptoms of severe dehydration , such as confusion, a rapid heartbeat, sunken eyes and passing little or no urine you're pregnant you're over 60 your baby or young child has suspected food poisoning you have a long-term underlying condition, such as inflammatory bowel disease IBD , heart valve disease, diabetes or kidney disease you have a weak immune system — for example, because of medication, cancer treatment or HIV In these situations, your GP may send off a stool sample for analysis and prescribe antibiotics , or they may refer you to hospital so you can be looked after more closely.

How is food contaminated? Causes of food poisoning Food can become contaminated at any stage during its production, processing or cooking. For example, it can become contaminated by: not cooking food thoroughly particularly meat not correctly storing food that needs to be chilled at below 5C keeping cooked food unrefrigerated for a long period eating food that has been touched by someone who is ill or has been in contact with someone with diarrhoea and vomiting cross-contamination where harmful bacteria are spread between food, surfaces and equipment Cross-contamination can occur, for example, if you prepare raw chicken on a chopping board and don't wash the board before preparing food that won't be cooked such as salad , as the harmful bacteria can be spread from the chopping board to the salad.

See preventing food poisoning for information about reducing these risks Types of infection Food contamination is usually caused by bacteria, but it can also sometimes be caused by viruses or parasites. Campylobacter In the UK, campylobacter bacteria are the most common cause of food poisoning. Salmonella Salmonella bacteria are often found in raw or undercooked meat, raw eggs, milk, and other dairy products.

Escherichia coli E. Shigella Shigella bacteria can contaminate any food that has been washed in contaminated water. Viruses The virus that most commonly causes diarrhoea and vomiting is the norovirus. Parasites In the UK, food poisoning caused by parasites is rare. Parasitic infections that can be spread in contaminated food include: giardiasis — an infection caused by a parasite called Giardia intestinalis cryptosporidiosis — an infection caused by a parasite called Cryptosporidium ameobiasis — a type of dysentery caused by a single-cell parasite ameoba called Entamoeba histolytica this is very rare in the UK The symptoms of food poisoning caused by a parasite usually develop within 10 days of eating contaminated food, although sometimes it may be weeks before you feel unwell.

Treating food poisoning Food poisoning can usually be treated at home without seeking medical advice. You should also: rest as much as possible eat when you feel up to it — sticking to small, light and non-fatty meals at first bland foods such as toast, crackers, rice and bananas are good choices avoid alcohol, caffeine, fizzy drinks and spicy and fatty foods because they may make you feel worse Contact your GP if your symptoms are severe or don't start to improve in a few days.

Preventing the spread of infection If you have food poisoning, you shouldn't prepare food for other people and you should try to keep contact with vulnerable people, such as the elderly or very young, to a minimum. Stay off work or school until at least 48 hours after the last episode of diarrhoea. If someone you live with has food poisoning, you should: make sure everyone in your household including yourself washes their hands with soap and warm water regularly — particularly after going to the toilet and before and after preparing food clean surfaces, toilet seats, flush handles, basins and taps frequently make sure everyone has their own towels and flannels wash the laundry of the infected person on the hottest washing machine setting Oral rehydration solution ORS Oral rehydration solutions ORS are recommended for people vulnerable to the effects of dehydration, such as the elderly and those with a pre-existing health condition.

Further treatment If your symptoms are severe or persistent, or you are more vulnerable to serious infection for example, because you are elderly or have an underlying health condition , you may need further treatment. Preventing food poisoning The best way to avoid getting food poisoning is to ensure you maintain high standards of personal and food hygiene when storing, handling and preparing food. Cleaning You can prevent the spread of harmful bacteria and viruses by maintaining good personal hygiene standards and keeping work surfaces and utensils clean.

Regularly wash your hands with soap and warm water, particularly: after going to the toilet or changing a baby's nappy before preparing food after handling raw food after touching bins or pets You shouldn't handle food if you are ill with stomach problems, such as diarrhoea or vomiting or you have any uncovered sores or cuts. Cooking It's important to cook food thoroughly, particularly meat and most types of seafood, to kill any harmful bacteria that may be present. You want to drink lots of fluids, and not just water.

Water is isotonic. It really should be a not-isotonic fluid. That would be something with salt, sugar or electrolytes in it, like Gatorade, broth, ginger ale or juice. Consult your physician if you have a medical condition that limits your sodium consumption , such as heart, liver or kidney disease.

It has soothing and anti-inflammatory effects. But be aware that it will turn your stool to black due to the bismuth.

A: For most of us with healthy immune systems, we can usually recover from food poisoning on our own. IV fluids can be administered for hydration and to replete lost electrolytes. You should also see a doctor if you develop a high fever, bloody diarrhea or extreme pain. For people who are on immunomodulating drugs or medications that suppress the immune system, or who have medical conditions that suppress the immune system, I recommend seeking immediate medical attention.

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