Tummy Troubles: Smart Ways to Tell When It's Food Poisoning

Although food poisoning is usually mild, sometimes it can also be severe. And whatever it’s severity, it is nearly always incredibly uncomfortable. But how do you actually know if you have food poisoning? Often it can be hard to tell. Here are some of the main symptoms to help you work out whether food poisoning is to blame.

Main Symptoms of Food Poisoning

Vomiting, diarrhea and cramps are three of the main symptoms of food poisoning. However, depending on its severity, the symptoms can also include fever, chills and nasty headaches.

Food poisoning symptoms can appear from anywhere between one hour and 12 hours after eating, which makes it more difficult to know whether your food was to blame. For example, Clostridium Perfringens can produce diarrhea after eight or 12 hours, where Staphylococcus Aureus can lead to vomiting after just one hour. The NHS has a good guide to food poisoning, so take a read through this to find out more.

Often the symptoms can feel the same as gastroenteritis, and the biggest clue that you are suffering from food poisoning is that you become ill after eating a particular item of food. If more than one person becomes ill after eating the same meal, this is usually a sign that the food was to blame.

However, the truth is that it is often very difficult to know for certain whether food poisoning is to blame.

When to Call a Doctor

Often, food poisoning lasts one or two days and then clears up on its own. However, if the symptoms are severe, or if it does not go away on its own, it’s time to see a doctor.

A high fever, dehydration signs like weakness, diarrhea that lasts for more than three days, being unable to drink fluids due to vomiting, and signs of blood in the stool are all indications that you should get medical attention.

What to Do If You Suspect a Restaurant

If you were preparing food yourself and you got ill, there is not a lot to do apart from keep proper food hygiene practices in mind in the future. These include washing your hands, avoiding cross contamination of raw meat and vegetables, cooking chicken and pork thoroughly and storing your food correctly.

But if you suspect you have got food poisoning from eating out at a restaurant, you should notify the authorities. The danger is that someone else will get ill, and it could be more serious for them. If the restaurant is not taking its food hygiene seriously, this is a serious situation.

In fact, you could even claim compensation if you have suffered from food poisoning after eating in a restaurant. Speak to a lawyer as soon as possible to find out your rights and whether you have a case.

Be Careful of Food Poisoning

Food poisoning does not usually cause any significant problems, but it can be dangerous, and it is always very uncomfortable. Be careful of how you prepare food and what you eat in restaurants, and always see a doctor if you are worried about your symptoms.

Zachery Adams is a nurse. His hobby is writing and he is an online contributor to a variety of health and fitness blogs where he shares a little of his expertise on day-to-day health troubles.