Food poisoning

Typically mild, self-limiting, and improves with supportive non-specific symptomatic treatments.

Most patients present with gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain or cramps, nausea and vomiting, and/or diarrhoea.

Foodborne disease outbreak is a cluster of at least two people with the same symptoms following ingestion of the same contaminated food or drink.

Some foodborne diseases and conditions are notifiable at a national level.

Food poisoning is illness caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with bacteria and/or their toxins, viruses, parasites, or chemicals. Contamination usually arises from improper handling, preparation, or storage of food or drinks.[1]American Medical Association, American Nurses Association/American Nurses Foundation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, et al. Diagnosis and management of foodborne illnesses: a primer for physicians and other health care professionals. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2004 Apr 16;53(RR-4):1-33. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5304a1.htm http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15123984?tool=bestpractice.com