Food poisoning is one of the most common diseases in the world. US Food and Drug Administration says that one in six Americans will contract food poisoning every year. Children and individuals with compromised immune systems are especially at risk.
There is around 250 identified causes of food poisoning. Infections of bacterial origin are the most common, but viruses and parasites can also cause food poisoning.
Though food poisoning tends to go away on its own and without treatment, in case of complications, it is highly recommended to see a doctor. You should learn all you can about the usual symptoms, so you can recognize when something goes wrong.
How long does food poisoning last? How is it treated? Read on for answers to these and many other questions.
What Causes Food Poisoning
There are many different causes of food poisoning. However, they can mostly be sorted to one of three big groups – viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Bacteria are the most common of the three. Various metals and chemicals can cause food poisoning as well.
Here’s a brief overview of some of the most common bacteria, viruses, and parasites associated with the disease:
- Clostridium perfringens. It is mostly found in gravy, poultry, precooked food, beef, and dried foods.
- Norovirus. This virus is commonly found in shellfish and raw produce.
- coli. E. coli bacteria can be found in unpasteurized juice and milk, contaminated water, undercooked beef, and raw veggies.
- Campylobacter. You can find it in contaminated water, undercooked poultry and meat, as well as unpasteurized milk and milk products.
- Listeria. This one is commonly found in raw produce, poultry, processed meat, and unpasteurized dairy products.
- Salmonella. Salmonella can infest a wide range of foods, including raw vegetables and fruit, poultry, unpasteurized dairy products, eggs, and undercooked and raw meat.
Symptoms
The first symptoms of food poisoning can take anywhere between one hour and 28 days to show. It largely depends on the cause of the poisoning. Most people have to deal with at least three symptoms from the following list: headaches, weakness, cramps and abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, mild fever, weakness, and diarrhea.
Serious cases of food poisoning might also be accompanied by the following symptoms: a fever of over 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit, blood in urine, problems with speaking and seeing, diarrhea that’s been going on for at least three days, and severe dehydration (dry mouth, low amounts of urine, difficulty keeping fluids down).
How Long Does It Last
How long does food poisoning last? Not long. Recovery time can vary from case to case, depending mostly on the cause. The ingested amount of poisoned food and the severity of the symptoms also impact the duration of food poisoning.
People who’ve been poisoned commonly recover on their own within a day or two. But if the symptoms persist longer than three or four days, it is highly advisable to go and see a doctor. If you notice any of the symptoms of a severe poisoning, you should go to the doctor as soon as possible.
Home Remedies
Most of the time, food poisoning passes in a day or two and doesn’t require a visit to the doctor. In such cases, common home remedies and plenty of rest should do the trick. Staying hydrated is the most important part of the recovery. While some people opt for sports drinks, it’s best to use rehydration solutions such as Ceralyte.
Foods you can eat to fill your stomach without causing any further trouble include bananas, toast, crackers, cereal, and rice. On the other hand, you should avoid alcohol, fat-rich foods, caffeine, sweets, dairy products, and sodas.
When to See Your Doctor
If the symptoms persist for several days or are particularly bad since the onset, you should go to the doctor. Some of the tell-tale signs that it is a time for a doctor to step in include following situations and symptoms:
- There’s blood in your vomit
- Your stool is black, bloody or contains pus.
- Diarrhea lasts more than 48 hours
- A fever of over 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit (or over 100.4 degrees in children)
- Your vision is blurred and you have a hard time focusing
- Your muscles feel weak
- There’s tingling in your arms
- General weakness
- The feeling of dehydration, accompanied by extreme thirst, decreased urination, dry mouth
Treatment
If you’re not satisfied with home remedies, you can buy over-the-counter medications for diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Be cautious with these, as your body uses vomiting and diarrhea to expel the toxic substances.
In case of severe poisoning, hospitalization might be in order. Patients with severe food poisoning may require intravenous hydration. The length of the stay depends on the speed of recovery.
Risk Groups
A special attention should be paid to the following groups of patients:
- Pregnant women
- People with a compromised immune system
- Toddlers and infants
- Those with other chronic diseases, such as kidney disease or diabetes
- People aged over 60 years.
Prevention
There are many things you can do to minimize the risk of food poisoning. Here’s a quick overview.
- It is highly recommended to store away all perishable food into a fridge or freezer within two hours after a meal. Also, thaw the frozen food in the microwave or the fridge, not the counter. Another option is to thaw it under the tap, under cold water.
- Separate foods that don’t go together. For example, uncooked meat shouldn’t be mixed with other types of food. The same goes for fish and poultry. When you’re making a dish that needs to be marinated, never re-use the marinade before boiling it. Eggs, seafood, poultry, and meat should, ideally, each have their own dedicated cutting boards.
- It is recommended to use a meat thermometer when cooking. Fish, meat, and poultry have different minimum requirements when it comes to the cooking temperature. Use the guidelines provided by the FDA.
- Even if you’re going to peel fruits and veggies, you should still thoroughly wash them. Use warm soapy water to clean counters, silverware, dinnerware, and cutting boards after each lunch or dinner. Wash your hands thoroughly if you’ve come into contact with ill people, handled raw meats, or used the toilet.
Final Thoughts
Though very unpleasant, food poisoning is usually not a dangerous condition. It can be caused by more than 250 types of bacteria, viruses, and parasites, with bacteria being the most common cause.
How long does food poisoning last? Typically, it lasts a day or two. However, in case of complications, it can go on for an extended period of time. In this case, it is highly recommended to visit a doctor.
Various home remedies in combination with rest are usually sufficient to treat common food poisoning. The best method of prevention is improved hygiene, especially during handling, preparation, and serving food.
References:
https://www.fda.gov/food/resourcesforyou/consumers/ucm103263.htm
https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/diseases/clostridium-perfringens.html
https://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/campylobacter/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/index.html
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/salmonella/symptoms-causes/syc-20355329 https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/foodborne-germs.html
https://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/HealthEducators/ucm082294.htm
Comments