While the symptoms of food poisoning may vary depending on what type of infection you have, most episodes of the disease will disappear on their own within 24 to 48 hours. You may notice some symptoms, such as decreased or no urination, dry mouth, increased thirst, weakness, or blood in your stools. If you experience any of these symptoms, you may wish to seek medical attention.
A common misconception about food poisoning is that the food must be spoiled or off to make a person sick. In fact, a food’s age and spoilage are often more likely to cause the sickness, rather than bacterial infections. However, these are two different problems. The first is caused by ageing and spoilage, while the second is caused by a bacterial or viral infection.
The most severe foodborne illnesses include listeria and E. coli. Both cause serious health problems, especially in young children. The former can even be fatal, especially for pregnant women. Listeria infection, which can be transmitted to people through their hands, is a more serious illness. The former can lead to a debilitating condition known as listeriosis. While bacterial infections are typically foodborne, others can cause a severe reaction such as brain or liver damage.
Infections of the large intestine can result in severe GI symptoms, including bloody diarrhea. These symptoms typically last from two to five days. Salmonella infections, which can be caused by poorly cooked meat, contaminated water, or a contaminated raw produce, can cause severe GI distress and a life-threatening infection. But what causes the worst case of food poisoning?