Food Poisoning

What Is It?

Most commonly, food poisoning is a reaction to food or water contaminated during improper cooking, handling or storage. The most common contaminants are bacteria, especially salmonella. Other contaminants include viruses, parasites and toxins. Food poisoning usually leads to abdominal cramping, vomiting and diarrhea.

Food poisoning, although common, often can be prevented easily. An estimated 85% of food-poisoning incidents can be prevented by handling and preparing food properly. Usually, food poisoning goes away within a day or two. However, in some cases, food poisoning is quite dangerous. In the United States, food poisoning results in more than 300,000 hospitalizations each year and causes 5,000 deaths.

Symptoms

Symptoms of food poisoning include:

• Nausea

• General weakness or exhaustion

• Abdominal pain and cramps

• Vomiting and diarrhea

• Fever