Food poisoning is an illness caused by eating contaminated food, and the symptoms can vary depending on the germ that caused it. The symptoms usually start within a few hours or several days of eating the contaminated food. The most common signs of food poisoning are:

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

In some cases, food poisoning can cause severe illness or complications, and it is important to see a doctor if you have any symptoms that are severe, including:

• Bloody diarrhea
• Diarrhea that lasts more than 3 days
• High fever (temperature over 102°F)
• Vomiting so often that you cannot keep liquids down
• Signs of dehydration, which include not urinating (peeing) much, a dry mouth and throat, feeling dizzy when standing up

Less often, food poisoning affects the nervous system and can cause severe disease. Symptoms may include blurred or double vision, headache, loss of movement in limbs, problems with swallowing, tingling or numbness of skin, weakness, and changes in the sound of the voice.

It is important to note that the signs of food poisoning vary by the germ causing the illness, as do the timing of these symptoms and how long they might last.