How do you get infected with food

poisoning?

You can become infected through eating

contaminated food. Food can become

contaminated at any stage during its production,

processing or cooking.

For example, you can get food poisoning by:

• not cooking food thoroughly (particularly

poultry, pork, burgers, sausages and kebabs);

such as E. coli, from contaminated foods).

How can you avoid getting infected

with food poisoning?

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm

water:

• before preparing and eating food;

• after handling raw food;

• after going to the toilet or changing a baby’s

nappy;

• after contact with pets and other animals

diarrhoea or vomiting;

• you have damaged skin or sores caused by

injury or disease (eg boils and septic cuts)

unless the infected area is completely covered

(eg by a waterproof dressing).

The best way to avoid getting food poisoning is

to ensure you maintain high standards of food

hygiene when storing, handling and preparing

food.

How can you maintain high standards

fridge to prevent contamination.

Food poisoning

www.publichealth.hscni.net

What is food poisoning?

Food poisoning is an illness caused by eating

contaminated food.

In most cases, the food is contaminated by

bacteria, such as Salmonella or Escherichia coli

(E. coli), or a virus, such as norovirus.

The symptoms usually begin 1–3 days after

is piping hot. Follow cooking instructions on the

pack.

If you reheat food, make sure it is piping hot all the

way through. Only reheat food once.

Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. Don’t

just leave these foods sitting at room temperature.

Keep your refrigerator at 0–5°Centigrade. Get

a thermometer to check temperatures inside the

refrigerator.

Check ‘use by’ dates on food, and use foods

clean. Wash worktops and utensils between

handling raw and cooked foods.

How can you prevent others in your

household becoming infected?

Everyone in the house should wash their hands

thoroughly with soap and warm water after going

to the toilet and after handling soiled clothing or

bedding and before preparing/eating food.

Wash the infected person’s laundry separately

and on the hottest cycle of the washing machine

towel and they should not use anyone else’s.

The infected person should not prepare or serve

food for others.

What are the symptoms of food

poisoning and how long do they last?

The most common symptoms are nausea,

vomiting and diarrhoea. Other symptoms can

include stomach pains and cramps, fever, loss of

appetite and muscle pain.

Symptoms usually develop 1–3 days after eating

There is no specific treatment for food poisoning.

Most people make a full recovery without any

specific treatment.

During this time it is important to drink plenty

of fluids as diarrhoea or vomiting can lead to

dehydration and you can lose important sugars

and minerals from your body.

If you feel sick and have difficulty keeping fluids

down try taking small sips of fluid frequently. Avoid

tea, coffee, carbonated drinks or alcohol. Always

Always contact your GP if any of the following

apply:

• your symptoms are severe or do not improve

after a few days;

• you have a high temperature (fever) of 38°C

(100.4°F) or over;

• you have symptoms of severe dehydration,

such as sunken eyes and passing small

quantities of dark, strong smelling urine;

• you have a baby with symptoms;

free from diarrhoea for 48 hours.

You should tell your employer you have had food

poisoning if you work with vulnerable groups

such as the elderly, the young, those in poor

health, or if you handle food.

Children should not attend school/childcare or

play with other children. In most cases, they can

return to school/childcare when they are fully

recovered and symptom free for 48 hours.

Certain types of food poisoning require specific