Foodborne Illness

The most common foodborne illnesses in the United States:

How can I tell if I have a foodborne illness (food poisoning)?

Common symptoms are nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. Symptoms may vary depending upon the type of virus or bacteria that you were infected with. Symptoms can sometimes be severe, and some can even be life-threatening. Some people are at higher risk of developing a more severe case of disease. Those groups include:

• Older adults
• Young children
• People with immune systems weakened from medical conditions, such as diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, organ transplants, or HIV/AIDS, or from receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatment.
• Pregnant women

Most people with a foodborne illness get better without medical treatment, but people with severe symptoms should see their healthcare provider.