Symptoms of Food Poisoning: How to Know You Have Foodborne Illness?

Those who consume contaminated food run the risk of getting symptoms of food poisoning. That can be anything from a minor ailment to a catastrophic disease.

The body hurts; you feel ill in your stomach, and you're feverish. You ponder how it could have occurred. Was it the unusually chewy pork tenderloin you had for lunch or the meeting participant from yesterday who coughed into his hand before you shook it?

In the US, food is extremely safe, but each year, millions of Americans become ill due to microorganisms or toxins that can be present in food.

With the ingestion of specific pathogens, such as Salmonella or E. coli, you may become ill with food poisoning. The type of germ you ate may have different effects on your symptoms of food poisoning. The severity and duration of symptoms might vary, lasting anywhere from a few hours to several days.

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When Do Symptoms of Food Poisoning Start Appearing?

Food poisoning is typically brought on by germs that have produced poisons in food. Because of that, consuming them is dangerous. Food poisoning is frequently linked to raw eggs, raw or undercooked meat, unwashed fruits, and unpasteurized (raw) milk. Food poisoning can also be brought on by contaminated or dirty water.

For how long symptoms of food poisoning may last depends on causes. (Image via Pexels/Hải Nguyễn)

Symptoms of food poisoning frequently appear a few hours after consuming unsafe or contaminated food. This is the beginning of food poisoning. Yet, depending on where the infection originated, food poisoning symptoms may not surface for 1 to 28 days. Also, there is some variation in how long food poisoning can last.

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Mild Food Poisoning Symptoms

Stomach flu and food poisoning symptoms can seem alike. Many patients who experience minor food poisoning mistakenly believe they have stomach flu.

Symptoms of food poisoning include:

• Feeling unwell (Nausea)
• diarrhea
• becoming ill
• Stomach Pain
• Body temperature rising to 38 degrees or higher
• feeling exhausted or fatigued
• experiencing aches and chills

Often, the symptoms appear a few days after consuming the harmful meal.

The signs of food poisoning can resemble those of other illnesses. To be certain, always consult a healthcare professional.

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Remedies of Food Poisoning

The infection is often cleared up by the immune system, so symptoms of food poisoning usually go away after a few days or so. On occasion, hospitalization is required if symptoms are severe or if problems arise.

Dehydration is something that should be avoided or treated as soon as signs of dehydration occur.

Drink at least 200 ml of liquid after each runny stool as a general rule. Water should be the primary fluid consumed to stay hydrated in most adults. Ideally, add some fruit juice and soup as well. Drinks with a lot of sugar, like fizzy drinks, should be avoided, as they can make diarrhea worse.

If you had food poisoning, it used to be recommended that you "starve" for a period. Now, nonetheless, it's suggested that you try to have modest, frequent meals. As soon as you can, consume foods that are good to eat when you have food poisoning, but keep drinking. If you do feel like eating, start by avoiding foods that are greasy, hot, or heavy. Simple foods like whole-grain bread and rice are ideal choices to start with.

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Prevention of Food Poisoning

Take proper rest if you have food poisoning. (Image via Pexels/Cottonbro Studio)

Here are some preventive measures you can take to avoid the symptoms of food poisoning:

Wash your hands frequently to avoid food poisoning. Food should be carefully prepared and stored.

Wash your hands right away after:

• Using the restroom
• replacing diapers
• Smoking
• sneeze or coughing
• Animal contact

When cooking, remember to:

Before handling raw meat, poultry, shellfish, fish, eggs, or produce, wash your hands for at least 20 seconds in warm, soapy water.

Every product should be thoroughly washed before consumption.

If you're chopping raw meat, poultry, or fish, use plastic cutting boards. They are simpler to maintain clean.

If you're chopping raw meat, poultry, or fish, use plastic cutting boards. They are simpler to maintain clean.

Before and after using any utensils or surfaces to cook food, they should all be thoroughly cleaned with warm, soapy water. To sterilize surfaces and utensils, mix one teaspoon of bleach with one quart of water.

If you follow these preventive measures, you are likely to not get affected as well as stay away from symptoms of food poisoning.