Mild Food Poisoning Symptoms

According to the Mayo Clinic, 75 million people get food poisoning each year, which occurs when food that has not been properly cooked is consumed 1. Subsequently, bacteria is ingested, upsetting the digestive environment in your stomach. Food poisoning is caused by a cross-contamination that occurred before, during or after cooking. Symptoms start as mild and are often flu-like in nature but vary based on the type of food or bacteria present. Understanding how your symptoms can progress can reduce long-term illness and damage to your body.

General Food Poisoning Symptoms

Symptoms of food poisoning may start immediately or may not appear until days later 12. The symptoms may only last for 24 to 48 hours or up to 10 or more days. General food symptoms include:

• nausea
  
• vomiting
  
• loss of appetite
  
• watery diarrhea
  
• fatigue
  
• muscle aches
  
• abdominal pain
  
• stomach cramps
  
• fever

Symptoms of Salmonella Food Poisoning

Salmonella food poisoning can occur after eating improperly cooked eggs or poultry. If you have salmonella, you will most likely experience nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fatigue, muscle aches, abdominal pain, stomach cramps or fever. Severe cases of salmonella food poisoning can include hemorrhagic colitis (bloody diarrhea).

Symptoms of E. Coli Food Poisoning

E. coli food poisoning, caused by the escherichia coli bacteria, can occur after eating undercooked ground beef, drinking contaminated water or unpasteurized milk, or from exposure to working with cattle. Symptoms are primarily general in nature but e. coli food poisoning is marked by a period of bloody diarrhea, which signals an internal infection and the risk for dehydration 1.

Symptoms of Mushroom Food Poisoning

A common food enjoyed by many, mushrooms must be cultivated and selected very carefully. Because mushrooms are naturally a fungus, it can be difficult to detect when they are not safe to eat. Mushroom food poisoning symptoms are sometimes general; however these additional symptoms have been reported, including upset stomach, delirium, vision problems, heart muscle problems, kidney failure or liver tissue damage 1.

Symptoms of Clostridium Botulinum Food Poisoning

More severe but less common, clostridium botulinum is another bacteria known to cause food poisoning. Food poisoning symptoms may include weakness, blurred vision, double vision, sensitivity to light, paralyzed eye nerves, difficulty speaking or swallowing, paralysis or respiratory failure 1.

It is difficult to pinpoint the bacteria to a specific food type or food group. Being exposed to this type of bacteria is less common because its danger is based on the conditions in which food is cultivated, which is generally highly regulated in the U.S.