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After a salmonella outbreak tied to raw turkey across 35 states, millions may find themselves grateful they dodged food poisoning this holiday season. By following food safety tips like cleaning surfaces and cooking meat to the correct temperature (usually 165 degrees Fahrenheit or more), you can avoid the misery of diarrhea disrupting your Black Friday plans.
Sadly, even with the best precautions, some may slip up. A cook who neglects to wash hands or cook food fully can unintentionally spread foodborne illness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates about 48 million cases of food poisoning every year. The symptoms aren’t always clear-cut, though. So, how can you be certain? What are the underlying causes? What’s the treatment? And how long will it last?
Since vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and other unpleasant symptoms can point to various illnesses beyond food poisoning, it's helpful to reflect on your recent meals to pinpoint the problem. 'The details are the key to determine if someone has food poisoning,' says Jennifer Katz, M.D., attending physician at Montefiore Health System in New York. 'What food was consumed, the time between eating and symptoms showing, how many people ate it, and how the food was prepared and stored are all critical factors.'
Germs like norovirus, salmonella, Clostridium perfringens, and Campylobacter can spread to humans due to improper hand hygiene, undercooked food, improper storage, or unsanitary preparation surfaces. If you're suffering from vomiting, frequent stools, cramps, or symptoms like dizziness, it’s likely from something you ate in the last one to three days. Undercooked poultry, beef, shellfish, eggs, flour, and raw veggies are common offenders, but illness-causing bacteria can also come from kids, travel, healthcare environments, or contaminated surfaces. If it’s not related to food, it’s not food poisoning.
How long will it last? 'Most foodborne illnesses resolve on their own,' says Katz. Typically, your body will defeat the bacteria in a few hours to a few days, and afterward, you'll likely just feel fatigued and lose your appetite.
Hydration is key. Antiemetics or anti-diarrheal drugs can slow the body’s natural process of expelling germs, potentially extending your symptoms. But if your condition persists for several days, you might need to see a doctor. 'Seek medical help if you're immunocompromised, have a fever, blood in your diarrhea or vomit, or can’t keep food or water down,' advises Katz. Children are especially vulnerable to dehydration when vomiting, so keep a close eye on them.
After food poisoning, Katz recommends sticking to low-fat meals to avoid straining your stomach. In most cases, the illness will leave no lasting effects, except perhaps a strong aversion to whatever food caused your discomfort.
In conclusion? If you feel unwell and think that a meal you had in the past day or three may have been improperly prepared or stored, food poisoning is probably the culprit. Rest and hydrate, and you’ll be back to normal before you know it.
