Food poisoning can occur when a person eats or drinks food
contaminated with certain types of bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Food can be
contaminated during processing, growing, and handling or through dirt, dust,
and water found in the environment.
Food poisoning causes symptoms of nausea, vomiting, stomach pain,
and diarrhea, usually within 48 hours of eating the contaminated food. The
symptoms of food poisoning are often caused by chemicals (toxins) released by
the infecting bacteria. Food poisoning may spread if a person comes into
contact with stool from an infected person.
Safe food preparation, such as cooking foods thoroughly, storing
them properly, and hand-washing before preparing food can help prevent food
poisoning.
Examples of bacteria types that may cause food poisoning include
salmonella, shigella, campylobacter, and E. coli.
Viruses that may cause food poisoning include noroviruses. Parasites that may
cause food poisoning include Toxoplasma gondii.
Botulism is a rare form of food poisoning
that can be caused by eating foods that were not canned properly.
