Food Poisoning

A parasite called Entamoeba histolytica causes amebiasis. Symptoms can start within a few days to years. It usually takes two to four weeks to show symptoms.

Symptoms include:

• Stomach pain
• Fever
• Chills
• Runny stool with blood or mucous

You can get by:

• Eating contaminated foods
• Drinking contaminated water
• Sexual transmission (oral-anal contact)

For more information, see our fact sheet on Amebiasis.

The Campylobacter bacteria causes Campylobacter Enteritis. Symptoms can start within one to 10 days. It usually takes two to five days to show symptoms.

Symptoms can include:

• Runny stool
• Stomach pain
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Vomiting
• Nausea

You can get it by:

• Eating contaminated food
• Drinking contaminated water
• Consuming unpasteurized milk
• Consuming undercooked meats especially poultry
• Person to person or animal to person contact

For more information, see our fact sheet on Campylobacter Enteritis.

Cryptosporidiosis is caused by a parasite called Cryptosporidium. Symptoms can start within two to 14 days. It usually takes 7 days to show symptoms.

Symptoms can include:

• Watery, runny stool
• Stomach pain
• Lack of appetite
• Fever
• Vomiting
• Nausea

The parasite is found in the stool of many animals. Rain washes it into lakes, rivers and streams.

You can get it by:

• Eating contaminated food
• Drinking contaminated water
• Playing in contaminated water

For more information, see our fact sheet on Cryptosporidiosis.

E. coli (Escherichia coli) is caused by a bacteria. E. coli O157:H7 is a specific strain of these bacteria, and can cause serious gastrointestinal illness.

Common foods that have it include:

• Undercooked hamburger
• Unpasteurized milk
• Juices
• Ciders
• Grocery produce

Symptoms can start within two to 10 days. It usually takes three to four days to show symptoms.

Symptoms can include:

• Bloody runny stool
• Stomach pain
• Fever

You can get it by:

• Eating contaminated foods
• Drinking contaminated water
• Consuming undercooked hamburgers
• Consuming unpasteurized milk, juice and ciders

Symptoms are often so severe that you have to go to the hospital. Older adults and children are more vulnerable. For more information, see our fact sheet on E. coli.

Giardiasis

Giardiasis is caused by parasites called Giardia lamblia. Children get it more than adults. Symptoms can start within three to 25 days. It usually takes seven to 10 days to show symptoms.

Symptoms can include:

• Runny stool for a long time
• It may be pale and greasy
• Bloating
• Stomach Pain
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Children may not want to eat
• They might not get enough vitamins from their food

You can get it from:

• Another person
• Infected animals
• Eating contaminated food
• Drinking or playing in contaminated water

For more information, see our fact sheet on Giardiasis.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) causes a liver infection. Symptoms can start within 15 to 50 days. It usually takes 28 to 30 days to show symptoms. It usually lasts one to two weeks.

Symptoms can include:

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Muscle pain
• Lack of appetite
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Dark urine
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)

You can get it by:

• Eating contaminated food 
• Drinking contaminated water or other liquids
• Person to person (fecal-oral route)

For more information, see our fact sheet on Hepatitis A and its vaccine.

Listeriosis

Bacteria called Listeria monocytogenes cause listeriosis.

The most vulnerable people are:

• Older adults
• Babies
• Adults with weakened immune systems
• Pregnant women
• Unborn babies

Healthy people may not have symptoms. Symptoms can start within three to 70 days. It usually takes three weeks to show symptoms.

Symptoms can include:

• Fever
• Muscle pain
• Runny stool
• Vomiting
• Headaches
• Loss of balance
• Convulsions or seizures
• Pregnant women may go into early labour or have a miscarriage

You can get it by:

Eating contaminated food

Common foods that have it are:

• Raw foods
• Soft cheeses
• Processed meats (deli meats or hot dogs)
• Smoked seafood
• Unpasteurized milk or cheese

For more information, see our fact sheet on Listeriosis.

Noroviruses are a group of viruses. Symptoms can last one to two days. You can still spread the virus for three days after you feel better.

Symptoms can include:

• Watery, runny stool
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Fever
• Feeling cold
• Headaches
• Muscle pain

It is in the stool and vomit of people sick with the virus.

You can get it by:

• Fecal-oral route
• Eating contaminated foods
• Drinking contaminated water

For more information, see our fact sheet on Noroviruses.

Salmonellosis

Salmonellosis is caused by Salmonella bacteria. Symptoms can start within six to 72 hours. It usually takes 12 to 36 hours to show symptoms.

Symptoms can include:

• Runny stool (sometimes with blood)
• Stomach pain
• Fever
• Vomiting
• Nausea

You can find it in poultry, farm animals, reptiles and pets.

You can get sick by:

• Consuming undercooked poultry
• Consuming undercooked beef
• Consuming undercooked eggs
• Drinking unpasteurized milk
• Drinking contaminated water

For more information, see our fact sheet on Salmonellosis.

Shigellosis

Shigellosis is caused by Shigella bacteria. Symptoms can start within 12 to 96 hours. It usually takes one to three days to show symptoms.

Symptoms can include:

• Bloody, runny stool
• Stomach pain
• Fever
• Vomiting
• Nausea

Often it is so bad, that you have to go to the hospital. Older adults and children are more vulnerable.

You can get it by:

• Eating contaminated foods
• Drinking contaminated water
• Sexual transmission (oral-anal contact)

For more information, see our fact sheet on Shigellosis.

Yersiniosis

Yersinia bacteria cause yersiniosis. Symptoms can start within 10 days. It usually takes three to seven days to show symptoms.

Symptoms can include:

• Runny stool (sometimes with blood)
• Fever
• Stomach pain
• Sometimes older children may feel something similar to appendicitis

You can get it by:

• Eating contaminated food 
• Drinking contaminated water
• Touching animals (e.g. pigs)
• Consuming raw or undercooked pork products

For more information, see our fact sheet on Yersiniosis.