Food poisoning is an illness caused by eating food in which harmful bacteria have multiplied to unsafe levels IN the food. If you’ve ever been ill just a few hours after eating food, it was likely food poisoning as it comes on quickly. Symptoms can last from 24 hours to several days. The symptoms include stomach cramps, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, fever and dehydration.
Foodborne illness is caused by bacteria or viruses that are carried on food. They use food to get into your body and then they multiply inside you. They need a bit of time to multiply inside you which is why the symptoms take longer to appear, sometimes several days or weeks. The symptoms are more varied too, as well as the food poisoning symptoms, symptoms of foodborne illness can include flu-like symptoms, headaches, rashes and organ failure.
High-risk groups:
People in high-risk groups are more vulnerable. Not only are they more susceptible to food poisoning, if they do get it their symptoms will last longer and will be more severe. They may even get medical complications and are more likely to die.
Take extra care if you’re preparing food for people in high-risk groups.
High risk groups include:
- elderly people (that’s people aged 65 and over)
- pregnant women
- nursing mothers
- babies and very young children (under 5)
- people with a weakened immune system
