Signs and Symptoms of Food Poisoning
Most strains of food poisoning are not life-threatening, but there are a few, such as botulism and illnesses caused by marine toxins, which can be deadly. Often, food poisoning is the result of food not being properly handled during refrigeration and cooking.
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Identification
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Signs and symptoms of food poisoning may include abdominal cramps, diarrhea, fever, hives, headache, weakness, nausea and vomiting. A person suffering from food poisoning may experience some or all of these symptoms.
Time Frame
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According to the National Library of Medicine, symptoms of common food poisoning will appear within two to six hours after eating the affected food although food poisoning from fish can occur within 20 to 30 minutes after eating. Most people will recover from food poisoning within 24 to 48 hours. If symptoms last longer than 48 hours, a doctor should be consulted.
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Treatment
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Most people do not require medical treatment to recover from food poisoning. The proper home treatment mostly consists of preventing dehydration caused by diarrhea and vomiting. The affected should drink plenty of fluids avoiding caffeinated beverages and dairy products as they may make diarrhea and dehydration worse.
Prevention/Solution
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Food poisoning can be avoided by washing hands and cooking utensils before preparing food. Food should be properly refrigerated and cooked to a safe internal temperature which is 140 degrees F for fish, 160 degrees F for beef, and 180 degrees F for poultry. One should also avoid eating foods past their expiration date or foods with a spoiled taste or odor.
Warning
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Call 911 immediately if symptoms include difficulty breathing, paralysis, bleeding during bowel movements, slurred speech or difficulty swallowing. These are symptoms of more dangerous forms of food poisoning and require professional medical treatment.
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