Food Poisoning Symptoms & Diagnosis

Symptoms

After you consume the contaminated food or beverage, there is a delay before symptoms arise. This delay is called an incubation period and can last anywhere from hours to weeks. Symptoms include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Stomach pain
• Dehydration if vomiting or diarrhea is severe
• Neurologic symptoms, including headache, dizziness, visual disturbances, and seizures
• Poor urine output
• Cramps
• Bloody stools, bloody vomit
• Fever, chills
• Muscle aches and pains
• Weakness

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. You may be asked to provide a sample of the stool or vomit for testing. If you have some of the food that you think made you sick, you may be asked to bring it in to be tested. Blood tests may be indicated to asses kidney function, blood salts and acid-base balance, and presence of blood infection. A urinalysis may also be performed.