Foodborne Illness: What Is It and How to Avoid Getting Sick

Foodborne illnesses, also called food poisoning, are extremely common in the U.S.

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) says 1-in-6 Americans experience food poisoning every year. But what exactly is a foodborne illness? And what causes it?

What is Food Poisoning?

Foodborne illnesses occur when you ingest food that is contaminated with pathogens like bacteria. Norovirus, E. coli and Salmonella are some of the most common causes of foodborne illnesses, according to the DOH. However, there are numerous pathogens, including harmful chemicals, that can cause food poisoning.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that the most common symptoms of food poisoning include:

• Stomach pain or cramps
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Fever

Depending on your infection, your symptoms can range from mild to severe and may last just a few hours or up to several days.

How To Avoid Contaminated Foods

When cooking at home, there are number of steps you can take to ensure you're not putting you or your loved ones at risk of food poisoning. According to the National Library of Medicine, here are some common tips to prevent unwanted infection:

• Wash your hands often, especially before cooking, cleaning and after touching raw meat, poultry, fish or eggs.
• Wash thoroughly any dishes that have had contact with raw foods before using them again.
• If you have leftovers, refrigerate any perishable foods within 2 hours of preparing them. Do not eat any raw foods that have been refrigerated uncooked for more than 2 days.
• Follow cooking instructions on packaged foods and consider using a thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of foods reaches the proper levels. Beef should be cooked to at least 160°F, poultry to at least 165°F, and fish to at least 145°F.
• Do not use any foods that have an unusual odor or spoiled taste. You should also avoid using outdated foods, packaged food with a broken seal or cans that are bulging or have a dent.

Although it is difficult to avoid foodborne illnesses when eating out, you can report your illness or suspected illness to the DOH via the Foodborne Illness Notification System.

How to Treat a Foodborne Illness

Typically, the best way to treat a foodborne illness is to manage your symptoms with over-the-counter medications and drink plenty of water.

Your body will try to expel the pathogen and in the process you'll lose a lot of fluids, so drinking plenty of water and replenishing your electrolytes will help avoid dehydration.

You should seek out help if you are experiencing:

• Bloody diarrhea
• Diarrhea for more than 3 days
• High fever (temperatures over 102°F)
• Vomiting so often that you can't keep liquids down

You can access EvergreenHealth Virtual Urgent Care from the comfort of your home and receive expert advice on how to treat your symptoms.