Food poisoning is rarely serious and usually gets better within a week. You can normally treat yourself or your child at home. Symptoms of food poisoning include: The symptoms usually start within a few days of eating the food that caused the infection. Sometimes they start after a few hours or not for a few weeks. You can usually treat yourself or your child at home. The symptoms usually pass within a week. The most important thing is to have lots of fluids, such as water or squash, to avoid dehydration. Stay off school or work until you have not been sick or had diarrhoea for at least 2 days. Food poisoning is caused by eating something that has been contaminated with germs. This can happen if food: Any type of food can cause food poisoning. Read tips to avoid food poisoning Food poisoning is usually caused by: Page last reviewed: 18 June 2021 OverviewFood poisoning, also called foodborne illness, is illness caused by eating contaminated food. Infectious organisms — including bacteria, viruses and parasites — or their toxins are the most common causes of food poisoning. Infectious organisms or their toxins can contaminate food at any point of processing or production. Contamination can also occur at home if food is incorrectly handled or cooked. Food poisoning symptoms, which can start within hours of eating contaminated food, often include nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Most often, food poisoning is mild and resolves without treatment. But some people need to go to the hospital. SymptomsFood poisoning symptoms vary with the source of contamination. Most types of food poisoning cause one or more of the following signs and symptoms:
Signs and symptoms may start within hours after eating the contaminated food, or they may begin days or even weeks later. Sickness caused by food poisoning generally lasts from a few hours to several days. When to see a doctorIf you experience any of the following signs or symptoms, seek medical attention.
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Risk factorsWhether you become ill after eating contaminated food depends on the organism, the amount of exposure, your age and your health. High-risk groups include:
ComplicationsThe most common serious complication of food poisoning is dehydration — a severe loss of water and essential salts and minerals. If you're a healthy adult and drink enough to replace fluids you lose from vomiting and diarrhea, dehydration shouldn't be a problem. Infants, older adults and people with suppressed immune systems or chronic illnesses may become severely dehydrated when they lose more fluids than they can replace. In that case, they may need to be hospitalized and receive intravenous fluids. In extreme cases, dehydration can be fatal. Some types of food poisoning have potentially serious complications for certain people. These include:
PreventionTo prevent food poisoning at home:
Food poisoning is especially serious and potentially life-threatening for young children, pregnant women and their fetuses, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. These individuals should take extra precautions by avoiding the following foods:
How do I know if I have food poisoning from chicken?The main symptoms include:. feeling sick (nausea). vomiting.. diarrhoea, which may contain blood or mucus.. stomach cramps and abdominal pain.. a lack of energy and weakness.. loss of appetite.. a high temperature (fever). aching muscles.. How likely is food poisoning from chicken?If you eat undercooked chicken, you can get a foodborne illness, also called food poisoning. You can also get sick if you eat other foods or beverages that are contaminated by raw chicken or its juices. CDC estimates that every year in the United States about 1 million people get sick from eating contaminated poultry.
Can you get mild food poisoning from chicken?Campylobacter: Undercooked Poultry
As little as one drop of raw chicken juice can cause campylobacter illness -- a little-known illness that is the second-leading cause of food poisoning in the U.S. Symptoms can include fever, cramps, watery or often bloody diarrhea, and vomiting.
What should I do if I get food poisoning from chicken?Avoid food for the first few hours as your stomach settles down. Drink water, broth, or an electrolyte solution, which will replace the minerals that you lose with vomiting and diarrhea. Eat when you feel ready, but start with small amounts of bland, nonfatty foods such as toast, rice, and crackers. Get plenty of rest.
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