Food Poisoning

Also known as: foodborne illness, stomach bug.

What is food poisoning?

If a person becomes ill after consuming food, this is known as food poisoning. Some form of germ is usually the culprit of the illness, and the symptoms can range from mild to severe.

What causes food poisoning?

The cause of food poisoning can be a bacteria, parasite or virus. The germs can enter the body easily through raw foods, foods that aren’t washed properly or food that isn’t cooked thoroughly. Foods that have spoiled or gone bad are another likely cause of food poisoning.

What are the symptoms of food poisoning?

The most common symptoms are digestive ones, including diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, nausea, and fever. The symptoms can last for a few hours to several days and can sometimes be severe.

What are food poisoning care options?

Treatments can include drinking lots of fluids to replace electrolytes, as well as antibiotics to get rid of the infection. Some people may require hospitalization and intravenous fluids and other supportive care methods.


Reviewed by: Jose R. Rosa-Olivares, M.D.

This page was last updated on: October 15, 2019 01:05 PM