Possible symptoms of food poisoning include:

• abdominal pain
• cramps
• nausea
• sweating
• vomiting
• weakness

Food poisoning occurs when you swallow food or water that contains bacteria, parasites, viruses, or the toxins made by these germs. Most cases are caused by common bacteria such as Staphylococcus , Campylobacter enteritis, Cholera, E. coli enteritis, toxins in spoiled or tainted fish or shellfish, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella, and Shigella.

Food poisoning can affect one person or a group of people who all ate the same food. It is more common after eating at picnics, school cafeterias, large social functions, or restaurants. Although anyone can get food poisoning, infants and elderly people are at the greatest risk.

TREATMENT

Doctors will not prescribe antibiotics for most causes of food poisoning. Most of the time, the person will get better in a couple of days. The goal is to ease symptoms and make sure the body has the proper amount of fluids.

Getting enough fluids and learning what to eat will help keep you comfortable. You may need to manage the diarrhea, control nausea and vomiting, and get plenty of rest.

You can drink oral rehydration mixtures to replace fluids and minerals lost through vomiting and diarrhea. Oral rehydration powder can be purchased from a pharmacy. Be sure to mix the powder in safe water.

We also offer a free certificate of completion. To receive the certificate you must pass a 50-question test with a score of 70 or higher. Check our Basic First Aid Certificate of Completion page for more information.