Do I Have Food Poisoning?

Have you eaten food that you suspect is contaminated?

Have you recently traveled abroad and eaten food that is different from what you normally eat, such as raw eggs or venison?

Have you eaten raw meat and poultry, raw eggs, raw shellfish, unpasteurized milk or "ready-to-eat" foods, such as cooked sliced meats, pâté, soft cheeses and pre-packed sandwiches?

Have you eaten food after its "use by" date?

Did you eat some food that you did not cook thoroughly or food that was left out for too long?

Do you have nausea or vomiting?

Do you have watery or bloody diarrhea?

Do you have abdominal pain and cramps?

Do you have a fever?

Do you have a loss of appetite?

Do you have weakness?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have food poisoning. Food poisoning is also known as a foodborne illness. A person can get food poisoning after eating food contaminated with various germs or toxic substances. Food poisoning is a common condition that affects 1 in 6 people in the United States each year. Bacteria, viruses and parasites can contaminate food during the process of food production and processing. Contamination can also occur through improper handling, cooking and storage of food. The symptoms of food poisoning usually begin a few hours after eating contaminated food and usually include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have food poisoning. Food poisoning is a common infectious disease that is caused by the ingestion of food that contains infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses and parasites. There are over 200 infectious agents that can contaminate food. The symptoms may start after several hours, days or weeks of eating the food that caused the infection. In most cases, the food poisoning symptoms are mild, last for about a day or two, and go away on their own. Diagnosing is based on a detailed medical history, a physical examination and various diagnostic tests, including blood and stool tests.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have food poisoning. Food poisoning or a foodborne illness is an infectious disease that is caused by the ingestion of contaminated food. In most cases, food poisoning can be treated at home. It is important to increase fluid intake to compensate for fluid loss through vomiting and diarrhea. Rest as much as possible, eat light, low-fat meals and avoid alcohol, caffeine and carbonated beverages. There are certain groups of people who are likely to have more severe symptoms of food poisoning. These include people over 65, children under 5, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems.