Food Poisoning Can Come in Many Forms

Shannon Weidemann

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Food poisoning can come in many forms and there are more that 250 food-borne illnesses. Most have the following symptoms though: nausea, vomitting, cramps, and diarrhea. It is important to know the signs and what to look for if you ever encounter

Food-borne illnesses generally fall into two categories: those from food poisoning and those from an infection. Food poisoning is technically a sickness caused by chemicals, sometimes produced by microorganisms.

The symptoms of food poisoning typically appear from 30 minutes to two hours after ingesting food and usually include vomiting. The rare disease botulism results from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which produces a paralytic toxin.

An infection, by contrast, is caused by the microorganisms themselves. The symptoms usually don't appear until 12 to 24 hours after ingesting food and tend to include diarrhea, he said.

If you think you have been the victim of a food borne illness it is important to contact your doctor or local county health department.