What Are the Symptoms of Food Poisoning and Can it Kill You?

While food poisoning is not life threatening, it can cause some serious complications. Some groups are more susceptible to the harmful effects of food poisoning than others. Pregnant women are at higher risk than most adults, due to changes in their metabolism and circulatory system. Older people, too, are vulnerable to food poisoning, and anyone with a weakened immune system is at higher risk than the average person. Young children are especially susceptible, as their immune systems are not fully developed and their bodies do not process food as well as their parents. Children are often particularly affected by diarrhea and dehydration.
In some cases, the severity of food poisoning can be severe, requiring hospitalization and kidney dialysis. Patients with severe cases may require ventilators, dialysis, and admission to an intensive care unit. It’s crucial to avoid contact with other people, especially if you have not washed your hands recently or touched animals. It’s also important to avoid preparing food for others until you are clear of your symptoms. In addition, make sure you use separate cutting boards and knives to avoid cross-contamination.
Common symptoms of food poisoning include stomach cramps, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and abdominal pain. In severe cases, you may experience fever and headache. Your symptoms can begin a few hours or several days after you eat contaminated food. You should visit a doctor immediately if you develop any of these symptoms. Symptoms can also last for days or even weeks. If you have these symptoms, visit the nearest emergency room as soon as you can.