Food Poisoning

How do I know I have food poisoning?

Common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and diarrhoea. Sometimes, you might also develop a fever. Other illnesses, medicines and excessive alcohol consumption can cause similar symptoms to food poisoning.

What should I do if I have food poisoning?

There are three main things to consider when you are ill:

Rehydration - drink plenty of fluids and perhaps use rehydration powders available from pharmacies. Seek medical assistance
If you are concerned about your health or the health of someone else, contact NHS Direct (0845 4647)
Contact your GP for advice (especially in the case of pregnant women, elderly people, children and people who are already ill)

Reporting food poisoning

If you think that your illness was caused by food prepared outside the home, you should report the incident to your local environmental health department so it can investigate the business in question. If the environmental health officers find a problem with the business's food hygiene practices, they can ensure that the business improves their practices and thus help prevent other people suffering from food poisoning.

Further Information

Further information on specific food poisoning organisms can be found by clicking on the links below:

Campylobacter (153kb)
Clostridium Perfringens (48kb)
Cryptosporidiosis (52kb)
Escherichia-Coli-(VTEC).pdf [No document string matched!]
Giardia Lamblia (131kb)
Hepatitis A (143kb)
Bacillus Cereus (278kb)
Staphylococcus Aureus (149kb)
Salmonella (141kb)
Shigellosis (106kb)
Viral Gastroenteritis (58kb)
Norwalk like viruses (109kb)(for residential nursing and care homes)

Certain infectious diseases are notifiable to the Health Authority and these are investigated by the consultant in communicable disease control (CCDC) or by officers of the Local Authority. The Food Safety Team investigates food poisoning and certain other food borne illnesses that are notifiable.

The purpose of this investigation is to try to prevent the spread of illness within the community and to try and establish possible causes. Advice is also given to the patient on how to prevent the spread of disease within the home.