Top 5 Signs of Food Poisoning
Do you know the signs of food poisoning? While many people think they can properly identify food poisoning, someone who is well trained with a food handlers card will be able to understand that it is much more than one or two common symptoms. Here are five signs that you or your customers are experiencing food poisoning.
5. Diarrhea
One of the top signs of food poisoning is diarrhea. This symptom is typically characterized by watery or loose stool. Usually, someone experiencing food poisoning will have this type of stool three or more times in a 24-hour period.
During food poisoning, inflammation worsens your bowel’s ability to reabsorb water that it secretes during digestion; hence creating a loose or watery stool.
Other symptoms of diarrhea in food poisoning include:
- Abdominal cramps
- Bloating
- Urgency to use the restroom
If you are experiencing diarrhea, remember to stay hydrated through liquids like broth and soups.
4. Headaches
Headaches are very common but sometimes it can be hard to tell if the headache is just that, or food poisoning. Headaches can be caused by stress, drinking too much alcohol, fatigue, and more. Food poisoning may cause fatigue and dehydration, which in turn can lead to a headache. Symptoms of food poisoning that go hand-in-hand with headaches are vomiting and diarrhea.
3. Vomiting
The most natural symptom of food poisoning is nausea and vomiting. What is important to know is that when your body does this, it is for a good reason. Vomiting is a protective mechanism that helps your body get rid of toxins or harmful organisms.
Sometimes vomiting can make food poisoning subside, but other times the vomiting continues throughout the bout.
If you are continuously vomiting then you should seek help from a doctor to ensure that you do not become dehydrated.
2. General Ill Feelings
Food poisoning simply makes people feel sick. Some symptoms experienced through food poisoning can also be found in situations where the body is fighting a common sickness like the flu. Some general symptoms of feeling sick are:
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Muscle Aches
- Chills
- Nausea
These symptoms mean that your body is trying to fight off an infection that has taken over your general health.
1. Abdominal Pain
During food poisoning, abdominal pain is something that can be felt around either the trunk of the body or below the ribs. Organisms produce toxins that irritate your stomach and intestines. This directly results in inflammation and pain in the abdomen.
This type of pain is common and can occur for many reasons, so it is best to look out for other signs of food poisoning before deciding that is your health problem.
Learn the Signs of Food Poisoning With a Food Handlers Certification
If you plan to work in the food service industry, you’ll need a Texas Food Handlers Certification. You need to know all the important information that will make you a model employee in your position.
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