Food Poisoning Symptoms: Causes, Risks & Recovery

Food poisoning occurs when an individual consumes food contaminated with either an infectious virus, bacteria or parasite. Contamination is often the result of under cooking or improper handling and storage of food. The severity of symptoms vary depending on what type of contaminate was consumed as well as the health and age of the person exposed. Illness caused by food poisoning can last as long as 10 days.

Stomach Pain and Nausea

• Food poisoning usually causes some degree of stomach pain and nausea.

Stomach Cramps

• Individuals who have food poisoning may also experience stomach cramps.

Vomiting and Diarrhea

• Individuals with food poisoning usually experience repeated episodes of vomiting and diarrhea. If the vomiting persists longer than 48 hours, consult a physician.

Poor Appetite

• When suffering from food poisoning, most individuals have no interest in eating additional food while the symptoms persist.

Fatigue

• Throughout the illness, individuals with food poisoning will usually feel tired, sluggish and lacking energy.

Fever

• Many individuals with food poisoning will develop a fever.