Health & Wellness

11 Signs and Symptoms of Food Poisoning in Adults

Many of you must be curious about what are the signs and symptoms of food poisoning in adults? Not to worry, we have the answer for your curiosity. Food poisoning is a common issue that occurs after eating or drinking unhygienic food or a beverage infected by germs, bacteria, and parasites. 

Moreover, most food products contain bacteria, but they are destroyed when you cook them properly. Eating such poisonous food can make you sick and generate several symptoms that indicate food poisoning. 

If you ever had food poisoning, you must know it never feels pleasant. When people eat food from outside, they have a higher chance of getting contaminated or unclean food. 

The harmful origins responsible for food poisoning are E.coli, Norovirus, listeria, salmonella, trichinella spirals worm, etc.  

Luckily, food poisoning passes naturally after a few days, but sometimes the condition can be worse. 

In This Article

What is Food Poisoning?

Eating contaminated food that makes you sick has been known as food poisoning. The common signs of food poisoning are nausea, headache, diarrhea, and vomiting. 

The symptoms and risks can vary from person to person. Various foods have a higher risk and are more poisonous than other food items, including undercooked meat, unpasteurized dairy items, unhygienic fruit, veggies cooked in unclean environments, and utensils. 

Sometimes well-cooked food can also make you sick, so you must make sure that you maintain proper hygiene.  

Signs and Symptoms of Food Poisoning in Adults

In this article, we are mentioning 11 signs and symptoms of food poisoning in men and women and tricky ways to prevent it, so let’s have a closer look at that:-

Signs and Symptoms of Food Poisoning in Adults

1. Stomach Pain and Cramps 

Stomach pain and cramps are widespread during food poisoning. The toxic organisms present in the intestine irritate you from inside, resulting in inflammation and pain in the abdomen. 

People also feel cramps in the abdomen due to muscle contraction as the body fights with the harmful compound and tries to make the bowel activity normal.     

2. Diarrhea 

Diarrhea is a significant symptom of food poisoning that consists of watery stool constantly in a day. The pain in the abdomen with inflammation and cramps makes the bowel activity slow, and it absorbs less water than normal. 

When parasites or bacteria enter the body via infected food, it affects the digestive system. Some people also experience bloody stool that can be worse and worse for their health.   

3. Headache 

Headache 

Headaches are pretty common and can trigger you anytime, and food poisoning is also a cause that can give you a headache. When your body gets dehydrated, it simply affects the brain and appears in the form of a headache. 

4. Vomiting 

Vomiting is also a common sign that comes with food poisoning. After eating contaminated food, you may feel like vomiting within half an hour.

The increased contractions in the abdomen force the body to pass the liquid from the mouth, and it is a fight-to-fight mechanism of your body as it tries to remove harmful toxins from the body.  

If you feel the vomiting isn’t stopping naturally, it can be dangerous, and you must visit a doctor.  

5. Feeling not Well

People who go through food poisoning feel very sick and lose appetite. However, the immune system naturally fights the infection that results in the body reveals chemicals called cytokines that have an essential role in maintaining immunity. 

You may feel worse, dehydrated, weak, and can lose interest in appetite, and these all symptoms are also known as sickness behavior. 

6. Fever

fever

Whenever our body fights with bacteria or any infection, the temperature increases, and you may feel a fever of 102 degrees.  

7. Nausea 

Many other causes can be responsible for nausea, and food poisoning is one of them. You may feel nausea after 6 to 8 hours after eating poisoned food.  

8. Body ache 

When our immune system gets activated and more aware of fighting off the infection and activate more white blood cells to protect the body, you may have body aches or muscle pain. 

You may also feel pain in some much sensitive body parts. 

9. Fatigue and Weakness 

Fatigue and Weakness 

Weakness and feeling tired is also the sign of food poisoning. As you are eating less and losing fluid via vomiting and diarrhea, the immune system is also fighting constantly. 

Naturally, you need more rest and so try to take rest and listen to the body. 

10. Dehydration 

If you feel dryness in the mouth and not urinating properly, which you usually do, these are the signs of dehydration that mainly occur during food poisoning. 

11. Difficulty in Breathing 

Many people experience difficulty in breathing or also known as palpitations. As the body is facing that is not normal and it in stressful condition and if you feel worse symptoms then seek a doctor immediately. 

Be sure to read: List of Foods that are Bad for your Liver Heart and Gut

Food Poisoning Prevention

Food Poisoning Prevention

1. Maintain Proper Hygiene 

Wash your hands well by using soap and sanitize well before cooking food. Also, wash all the utensils properly before using them. 

Clean the surface and platform. There are many washing items available for the kitchen and utensils.  

Wash the veggies, fruits, or whatever you are going to cook. 

Cook food at the right temperature, especially meat, seafood, and eggs.  

2. Drink Enough Fluid 

Drinking enough water is always a great idea that keeps you hydrated and healthy. If you are facing food poisoning, then drink enough water. 

You can also make a homemade solution that will fulfill the electrolytes and provide enough energy to your body. 

3. Avoid Food from Outside

We all love junk food, don’t we? This is the biggest reason for food poisoning and infects people more. 

If you are ordering food from outside, make sure that the restaurant or café maintains the safety rules. 

How to Avoid Food Poisoning (video)

Be sure to read: Mothball Poisoning Symptoms

In Closing

However, food poisoning is not a life-threatening issue, but still, it is not a joke. People feel too bad and exhausted when they face it. 

If you notice any symptoms like that, don’t panic and rest for a few days. Eat light food and take more fluid than solid. 

We hope this information on signs and symptoms of food poisoning in adults will be helpful for you and if you have any suggestions or any questions, please feel free to ask or share.  

Dr Maria

MD. Board Certified physician. Fellowship In Family Medicine UK. 8 years of medical experience in Lifestyle-related health disorders. Graduated from AIIMS – All India Institute Of Medical Science, INDIA

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