Food poisoning

Food poisoning | NHS inform Home Illnesses and conditions Symptoms and self-help Tests and treatments Healthy living Care, support and rights Scotlands Service Directory 0 Home Illnesses and conditions Infections and poisoning Food poisoning Food poisoning Food poisoning is an illness caused by eating contaminated food. Its not usually serious and most people get better within a few days without treatment. In most cases, food is contaminated by bacteria or a virus like: campylobacter  the most common cause of food poisoning salmonella Escherichia coli (E. coli) norovirus listeria Food Standards Scotland has further information about bacteria and viruses that can cause food poisoning. Symptoms of food poisoning Symptoms of food poisoning include: feeling sick (nausea) being sick (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 of 38C or above (fever) aching muscles chills The symptoms of food poisoning usually begin within 1 to 2 days of eating contaminated food. They can also start a few hours later or several weeks later. What to do if you have food poisoning Do stay off school or work until you have not been sick or had diarrhoea for at least 2 days rest drink lots of water to prevent dehydration  you can sip it if this is easier consider speaking to your pharmacist about an oral rehydration solution (ORS) eat when you feel up to it  try small, light meals eat bland foods like toast, crackers, banana and rice until you feel better avoid alcohol, caffeine, fizzy drinks, spice and fatty foods  they may make you feel worse Speak to a GP if you: have a weak immune system  for example, because of medication, cancer treatment or HIV have severe symptoms are pregnant dont start to see improvements to your symptoms after a few days are unable to keep down any fluids because youre vomiting repeatedly have symptoms of severe dehydration, like confusion, a rapid heartbeat, sunken eyes and passing little or no urine are over 60 think your baby or young child has food poisoning have a long-term underlying condition, like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), diabetes or kidney disease How you get food poisoning Food poisoning is caused by eating something thats been contaminated with germs. Any type of food can cause food poisoning. Food can be contaminated if its not cooked or reheated thoroughly not stored correctly  for example, its not been frozen or chilled left out for too long handled by someone whos ill or hasnt washed their hands eaten after its use by date not reheating cooked food well enough Further information on preparing and cooking food safely Preventing infection when youre ill Do try to keep contact with vulnerable people to a minimum, for example the very young or elderly wash your hands with soap and warm water often clean surfaces, toilet seats, flush handles, basins and taps often make sure everyone in the household has their own towels and flannels wash the laundry of the infected person on the hottest washing machine setting Source: NHS 24 - Opens in new browser window Last updated: 29 January 2024 How can we improve this page? Help us improve NHS inform Thank You Your feedback has been received Dont include personal information e.g. name, location or any personal health conditions. Email Address e.g. you@example.com Message Maximum of 500 characters Send feedback Add this page to\n            Info For Me Also on NHS inform Preparing and cooking food safely Other health sites FSA: Find your local environmental health officer FSA: food hygiene ratings Food Standards Scotland: Food safety and hygeine NHS inform About NHS inform Editorial policy Contact us Webchat Give feedback about NHS inform Info for Me tool Terms and conditions Privacy and cookies policy Freedom of information (FOI) Accessibility Other languages and formats  2023 NHS 24  v1.1.1.17852