How Long Does Food Poisoning Last?
Jake Newby
| 3 min read
Jake Newby is a brand journalist for Blue Cross Blue...
Key Takeaways
- Also called foodborne illness, food poisoning happens when you eat or drink something contaminated with harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites or toxins.
- Swallowing germs like salmonella, E. coli, norovirus and listeria can lead to food poisoning.
- Symptoms can range from mild discomfort to severe illness. Common signs include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and stomach pains.
- How much contaminated food was eaten and how your immune system responds can also influence recovery time.
Most people have experienced it at least once: you eat something that seemed perfectly fine, maybe felt OK in the hours after eating it, then suddenly succumbed to nausea and vomiting, stomach cramps or an urgent trip to the bathroom.
Also called foodborne illness, food poisoning happens when you eat or drink something contaminated with harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites or toxins. It can come on fast and make you miserable, but it’s not usually something that persists for days on end. Still, the timeline can vary depending on what caused it, how much contaminated food you ate and your overall health.
What is the main cause of food poisoning?
While there isn’t one prevailing cause of food poisoning, there are a handful of common culprits. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that swallowing germs like salmonella, E. coli, norovirus and listeria can lead to food poisoning.
Contamination can happen at almost any stage of food preparation – from processing and shipping to cooking and storing. Undercooked meat, raw seafood, unwashed produce and food left out too long are some of the most common sources of contamination, per the CDC.
We have a natural tendency to blame the last thing we ate, but symptoms don’t always appear immediately. Signs of food poisoning can kick in within two to six hours after you ingest contaminated food or liquids, according to the Cleveland Clinic, all based on the germ you ingested.
How do you know it’s food poisoning? Common symptoms to monitor
Symptoms can range from mild discomfort to severe illness. The most common signs include:
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach pain or cramps
- Fever
Some people may also experience headaches, chills or dehydration. Young children, older adults, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems are at greater risk for serious complications.
How long does food poisoning last?
In many healthy adults, food poisoning clears up on its own within 12 to 48 hours. That said, there’s no one-size-fits-all timeline. Some mild cases may only last a few hours, while others can drag on for several days or even weeks depending on the specific bacteria or virus involved.
Several factors can influence recovery time, per the Cleveland Clinic, including:
- the type of germ you swallowed
- how much contaminated food was eaten
- how your immune system responds
Certain infections – such as Campylobacter (bloody diarrhea) – may cause symptoms that linger longer than typical stomach bugs. The timing of symptoms can vary, too. Some foodborne illnesses begin within two to six hours after eating contaminated food, while others may take several days to develop.
How can I get food poisoning out of my system fast?
There’s no instant food poisoning cure or cleanse; most cases resolve over time, aided by rest and hydration. It’s important to do everything you can to avoid dehydration, especially if symptoms are severe. Water should be your No. 1 option, but sports drinks, electrolyte beverages or oral rehydration solutions can help replace lost fluids and minerals.
Experts recommend drinking plenty of fluids to replace water lost through vomiting or diarrhea. As symptoms improve, start with easy-to-tolerate foods like toast, rice, bananas and crackers, and gradually return to your normal eating pattern.
Additionally, it’s important to practice the United States Department of Agriculture’s four basic food safety steps to avoid food poisoning: cleaning, separating, cooking and chilling.
The CDC recommends seeking medical care for symptoms such as a fever above 102 degrees Fahrenheit, bloody diarrhea, signs of dehydration, prolonged systems or suspected infection with certain high-risk pathogens like campylobacter.
Call your primary care provider if you believe you are trending in this direction. Some bacterial infections may require antibiotics or additional treatment.
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Photo credit: Getty Images
