Food poisoning

Symptoms

The symptoms from the most common types of food poisoning generally start within 2 - 6 hours of eating the food. That time may be longer (even a number of days) or shorter, depending on the cause of the food poisoning.

Possible symptoms include:

• Abdominal cramps
• Diarrhea (may be bloody)
• Fever and chills
• Headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Weakness (may be serious and lead to respiratory arrest, as in the case of botulism)

Exams and Tests

Your health care provider will examine you for signs of food poisoning, such as stomach problems and dehydration. Your provider will also ask about foods you have eaten recently.

Tests to find the cause may be done on your:

• Blood
• Leftover food
• Stool
• Vomit

Even if you have food poisoning, however, these tests may not be able to prove it.

In rare but possibly serious cases, your doctor may order one or more of the following procedures:

• A thin, tube-like tool placed in the anus to look for the source of bleeding or infection (sigmoidoscopy)
• A test to measure electric impulses in the muscles (electromyography) to check for botulism
• A test of fluid from the spine (lumbar puncture) if you have signs of a nervous system disorder

References

Diagnosis and management of foodborne illnesses: a primer for physicians. Atlanta, Ga. American Medical Association, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, Food Safety and Inspection Service, US Department of Agriculture; 2001. MMWR Recomm Rep; 50(RR-2): 1-69.

Tam CC. Campylobacter coli - an important foodborne pathogen. J Infect. 2003; 47(1): 28-32.

Tintinalli JE, Kelen GD, Stapczynski JS, eds. Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide. 6th ed. New York, Ny :McGraw Hill Professional; 2003.