Food Poisoning: Key Causes, Symptoms, Treatments, and Prevention

Food Poisoning: Key Causes, Symptoms, Treatments, and Prevention Published on: 02nd September 2022 Medically reviewed by: General Practitioner at First Response Healthcare Caused by infectious organisms like bacteria, viruses, parasites and other toxins in the food, food poisoning is an illness that occurs when you consume contaminated food. The food generally gets contaminated at any stage of food processing or production or sometimes when the food is cooked or handled incorrectly. The symptoms of food poisoning could start within a few hours of consuming contaminated food and could last for a few days. The symptoms would generally include stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. More often than not, food poisoning is mild and may resolve without treatment, however many times people might need to visit a doctor or hospital for the same. One should most definitely see a doctor if the symptoms are severe, for example if you have high fever, blood in stool, if you’re feeling dehydrated or if you are unable to hold down any food or liquid.