Common food-borne illnesses

illness (and causative organism) common food sources symptoms

symptom onset

Illnesses caused by bacteria

botulism

(Clostridium botulinum) canned foods, honey (for infants) nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, difficulty swallowing and speaking, muscle weakness and paralysis, fatigue, blurred or double vision

18-36 hours

campylobacteriosis

(Campylobacter jejuni) raw or undercooked chicken, unpasteurized milk, non-chlorinated water watery or bloody diarrhea, vomiting, fever, nausea, muscle pain, abdominal cramps

2-5 days

cholera

(Vibrio cholerae) shellfish, contaminated water abdominal cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, coma, cardiovascular collapse

6 hours-5 days

E. coli infection

(Escherichia coli, O157:H7,

and other strains) undercooked beef (especially ground), unpasteurized milk

and fruit juices, dry-cured salami, alfalfa sprouts, contaminated water, raw fruits and vegetables watery or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, acute kidney failure

12-72 hours

listeriosis

(Listeria monocytogenes) unpasteurized milk, soft cheeses fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, encephalitis, blood infection, miscarriage or stillbirth in pregnant women, headache

gastrointestinal symptoms, more than 12 hours; serious symptoms, 3 days-3 weeks

perfringens food poisoning

(Clostridium perfringens) improperly cooked or stored meat products diarrhea, abdominal cramps

8-24 hours

salmonellosis (Salmonella)

(nontyphoid Salmonella species) raw or undercooked eggs, poultry, meat, or fish; unpasteurized milk nausea, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, fever, chills, vomiting, headache

6-48 hours

shigellosis

(Shigella) salads (potato, shrimp, macaroni, chicken), raw vegetables, dairy products, poultry, contaminated water watery or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, vomiting

5-50 hours

staphylococcal food poisoning

(Staphylococcus aureus (http://www.britannica.com/eb/article?eu=71235)) meat, eggs, poultry, tuna, potato and macaroni salads, cream-filled pastries nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, headache, muscle cramping, fatigue

2-6 hours

typhoid (typhoid fever)

(Salmonella typhi) sewage-contaminated water, shellfish, raw fruits and vegetables, dairy products fever, chills, headache, abdominal pain, constipation, enlarged spleen, rash, intestinal perforation or hemorrhage

1-3 weeks

Vibriosis (vibrio)

(Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus) raw, undercooked, or

recontaminated seafood gastroenteritis, bloody or watery diarrhea, fever, blood infection, abdominal pain, chills, weakness

4-96 hours

yersiniosis

(Yersinia enterocolitica) raw vegetables and meat, water, unpasteurized milk fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, headache, nausea, malaise

24-48 hours

Illnesses caused by viruses

hepatitis A

(hepatitis A virus) contaminated water, shellfish, salads fever, malaise, nausea, anorexia, abdominal discomfort, jaundice

10-50 days

Norwalk-like virus shellfish, contaminated water, salad ingredients vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain

24-48 hours

Illnesses caused by parasitic protozoans and worms

amebiasis

(Entamoeba histolytica) contaminated water, raw fruits

or vegetables, unpasteurized dairy products gastrointestinal distress, bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, intestinal ulcers

1-4 weeks

cryptosporidiosis

(Cryptosporidium parvum) contaminated water, raw fruits and vegetables diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever

2-10 days

cyclosporiasis (Cyclospora cayetanensis) contaminated water,

Guatemalan raspberries diarrhea, vomiting, muscle pain, fatigue

1 week

giardiasis

(Giardia lamblia) contaminated water diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, heartburn, anorexia, nausea, vomiting

5-25 days

trichinosis

(Trichinella spiralis) raw or undercooked pork and wild game fever, abdominal symptoms, joint and muscle pain, headache, facial swelling, painful breathing, muscle weakness

abdominal symptoms, 1-2 days; further symptoms, 2-8 weeks

Illnesses caused by natural toxins

ciguatera fish poisoning (fish poisoning)

(dinoflagellates) warm-water fishes, typically grouper, snapper, amberjack, and barracuda numbness and tingling, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory paralysis, muscle pain, heart abnormalities

within 6 hours

scombroid poisoning (fish poisoning) spoiled fish, such as tuna, mackerel, or mahimahi nausea, vomiting, headache, thirst, hives, diarrhea, itchiness, tingling of the mouth and throat

immediate to 30 minutes

shellfish poisoning,

paralytic oysters, clams, mussels, scallops paralysis, tingling and numbness, dry throat, incoordination, incoherent speech, respiratory paralysis

30 minutes-2 hours