Food poisoning occurs when you eat or drink food or water that is contaminated with certain viruses or bacteria. In some cases, you can become sick by contacting an infected person or animal.
According to The Food and Drug Administration, there are about 48 million cases of foodborne illnesses reported annually. This leads to 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths. In fact, 1 in 6 Americans suffer from food poisoning each year.
You can become sick after eating contaminated food, and experience a number of different symptoms. Often times, the side effects are mild, and include nausea, stomach cramps, diarrhea, or fever. Serious side effects are rare but can lead to hospitalization. Serious side effects include seizures, a fever reaching over 100 ⁰ F, or difficulty breathing or swallowing. It can lead to brain and nerve damage, kidney failure or chronic arthritis.
Those who are most effected are people who are very young, have a low immune system, are pregnant, or the elderly. However, foodborne illness is a threat to people of all ages.
There are 31 pathogens that are known to cause food poisoning. While Norovirus and Salmonella are the most common, there are other pathogens that can lead to more serious symptoms, and last for weeks. The most at risk foods are meats, eggs, poultry, shellfish and dairy products.
E Coli – Lasts For 1-3 Days, And Is Often Found In Raw Or Undercooked Beef, Unpasteurized Milk And Juice, Raw Vegetables, And Contaminated Water.
Listeria – Lasts 1-4 Weeks. This Can Be Especially Dangerous For Pregnant Women Since Infections During Pregnancy Can Lead To Serious Illness In Newborns, Or Premature Birth. Listeria Is Found In Ready To Eat Deli Meats And Unpasteurized Milk And Cheeses.
Norovirus – Lasts For 12-48 Hours, And Is One Of The Most Common Foodborne Illnesses. It Can Come From Shellfish, Contaminated Water, Leafy Greens And Fresh Fruit, Or From A Contaminated Person.
Botulism – Lasts For 18-36 Hours, And Is Caused My Improperly Canned Or Fermented Foods.
Salmonella – Lasts For 6-48 Hours. Salmonella Is Common, And Often Found In Eggs, Undercooked And Raw Poultry Or Meat, Raw Fruits And Vegetables, Unpasteurized Milk And Cheese. Symptoms Can Last For Up To A Week After Contamination.
Hepatitis A – Lasts For 15-50 Days, And Symptoms Can Last For Up To 3 Months. Hepatitis A Can Be Found In Raw Produce, Uncooked Foods, Shellfish, And Contaminated Water.
If you believe you have food poisoning, it is important to drink plenty of water and clear non-carbonated fluids. Make sure to rest, and stick to bland foods. If you are experiencing severe dehydration, or muscle weakness, make sure to get treatment immediately.
If you become sick from food poisoning or a foodborne illness, it is important to report it to your local health department. When two or more people are affected, it is considered an outbreak. Notifying your local health department allows them to begin investigating the source and can help stop a potential outbreak of foodborne disease. Reporting your foodborne illness can help save lives, and stop the spread of a foodborne disease.
Identifying food poisoning is essential in any food poisoning lawsuit. If you believe you have been contaminated, go to a health professional for a stool sample. At KBA Attorneys, we have the knowledge and experience to help. We are devoted to keeping the restaurants, or food distributing company, responsible for their actions. Our product liability attorneys can help those injured by faulty products and foods and get the compensation they deserve.
