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.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2024 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.