The longer the food poisoning duration, the more complications can arise. The most common serious complication is dehydration. However, if you are a healthy adult and drink lots of water to replace fluid loss from vomiting and diarrhea, you should not experience any long-term health consequences.
Most people fully recover from the most common types of food poisoning within 12 to 48 hours. Some types of food poisoning can cause serious complications. Death from food poisoning in people who are otherwise healthy is rare in the United States.
The most common complication is dehydration. This a severe loss of water and salts and minerals. Both vomiting and diarrhea can cause dehydration. Most healthy adults can drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration.
In most cases, people with food poisoning get better on their own without medical treatment. You can treat food poisoning by replacing lost fluids and electrolytes to prevent dehydration. In some cases, over-the-counter medicines may help relieve your symptoms.
Simple rest is one way to help your body heal from food poisoning. Take it easy until you are feeling better. Additionally, do not eat or drink for a few hours after the onset of symptoms. Once you do start eating and drinking again, try gentle and bland foods, like crackers, and sports drinks.
You should immediately seek food poisoning treatment in the ER if you begin to notice blood in your urine, feces, or vomit, diarrhea lasting more than three days, or signs of severe dehydration including extreme thirst, loss of consciousness, or confusion.
However, the key distinction is time: The symptoms of a stomach bug will take 12 to 48 hours to develop, while the symptoms of food poisoning typically develop much faster, usually within 6 hours of consuming an infected dish. Another common difference between the two is the length of illness.
Food poisoning is rarely serious and usually gets better within a week. You can normally treat yourself or your child at home.
Most people experience stomach cramps/nausea/vomiting first, which can last 12-24 hours. Diarrhea tends to start after nausea and vomiting. It will take one week, in most cases, for the diarrhea to resolve. The inner lining of the gut is stripped away and flushed with the first round of diarrhea.
The shortest can be from 30 minutes after eating; the longest may only show symptoms a week or more after eating. If you suspect you have food poisoning, it is recommended that you seek diagnosis from a doctor. The most common symptoms of food poisoning are nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and diarrhea.
You may recover in a few days … or not
But your length of illness can vary based on several factors. “Depending on the pathogen and your body's reaction to it, some people can be ill with food poisoning for 10 days or even more,” Dr. Lee notes. “The bacteria campylobacter, for example, can produce symptoms for weeks.”
Avoid spicy or acidic foods, caffeinated beverages, and alcohol after food poisoning. Foods that are high in fats, protein, and fiber may also be hard to digest.
Call your doctor if your symptoms worsen or if you experience any of the following: Bloody stool or bloody vomit. Inability to keep any fluids down. Diarrhea lasting more than three days.
Food poisoning and the stomach flu can come with similar symptoms, like nausea and vomiting, but they're different conditions. Food poisoning is caused by food that's contaminated by bacteria, viruses, parasites, or toxins. The stomach flu is usually caused by norovirus.
Bacterial food poisoning is the most common type of foodborne illness in the United States. Symptoms usually set in 8-48 hours after exposure. The recovery time for a bacterial foodborne illness is 24 hours to 7 days. Some common bacterial foodborne illnesses come from E.
Salmonella is the most common bacterial cause of food poisoning in the U.S. and is responsible for the highest number of hospitalizations and deaths from food poisoning.
Symptoms can range from mild to serious and can last for a few hours or several days. The most common symptoms of food poisoning are: Diarrhea. Stomach pain or cramps.
Struggling with the stomach flu
Sleep on your side with your head elevated: If you find yourself vomiting a lot, then sleep on your side with your head elevated.
Clostridium perfringens is yet another bacteria found in raw meat and poultry that leads to a million more cases of food poisoning every year. It produces a toxin inside your intestines that causes cramps and diarrhea. So there's no vomiting or fever with this infection.
Your symptoms depend on what caused you to get sick, but you usually have diarrhea, throwing up, and an upset stomach at the least. It's no fun, but it's how your body tries to kick out the toxins and get you better.