How Long Does it Take for Food Poisoning to Hit?

Food poisoning is a bacterial infection contracted from contaminated food. Most often, food poisoning comes from undercooked meats or from cold or hot food not kept at the appropriate temperature. Different types of bacteria, and different types of food poisoning, have varying incubation periods.

Botulism

Botulism symptoms usually manifest from eight to 36 hours after eating contaminated food. Symptoms can include stomach cramps, dry mouth, difficulty breathing, swallowing or talking, double vision, nausea, vomiting, and weakness.

E. coli

Food poisoning from E. coli generally hits from 24 to 72 hours after exposure. Symptoms can include abdominal pain or cramps, severe and/or bloody diarrhea, gas, fever, and loss of appetite.

Staphylococcus Aureus

Staph food poisoning typically appears within four to six hours after eating contaminated food. Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, low fever and loss of appetite.

Salmonella

Salmonella symptoms can present anywhere from eight to 48 hours after exposure. They can include stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, fever and chills.

Shigella

Shigella food poisoning symptoms appear, on average, three days after eating contaminated food. However, the incubation period can be anywhere from one to seven days. Symptoms can include acute abdominal or rectal pain, high fever, nausea, vomiting, watery diarrhea, and blood, mucus or pus in the stool.

References

• National Library of Medicine/National Institutes of Health