Sometimes the food we eat makes us sick. If food is not cooked, handled and stored properly, it can cause illnesses such as:
- Campylobacter
- Salmonella
- E. coli
- Shigella
- Hepatitis A
- Giardia lamblia
- Cryptosporidia
- Calicivirus, also known as the Norwalk virus
- Staphylococcus aureus, also known as staph infection
- Clostridium botulinum, also known as botulism
When negligence at a restaurant, fast food chain, hotel or other establishment results in cases of food poisoning, an experienced Orlando injury attorney helps victims hold the establishment accountable for spreading a food borne illness.
Food Poisoning Symptoms
People suffering from a food borne illness typically experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Abdominal pain and cramping
Other symptoms specific to certain types of food poisoning include:
- Bloody diarrhea (E. coli)
- Myalgia, jaundice and anorexia (Hepatitis A)
- Bloating and fatigue (Giardia lamblia)
- Scalded skin syndrome (Staphylococcus aureus)
- Double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, and muscle weakness (Clostridium botulinum)
Symptoms can appear within hours of consuming contaminated food, or they may not develop until days or weeks later. Depending on the type of illness, food poisoning symptoms generally last about one to 10 days, although Hepatitis A symptoms can persist for up to four weeks. Treatment for a food borne illness usually involves replacing lost fluids and taking antibiotics if it’s a bacterial infection.
When to See a Doctor
According to the Mayo Clinic, people with suspected food poisoning should seek medical attention if they experience any of the following symptoms:
- Frequent vomiting that prevents them from keeping liquids down
- Bloody vomit or stools
- Severe diarrhea lasting for more than three days
- Severe pain or abdominal cramping
- Fever over 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit
- Trouble speaking
- Difficulty swallowing
- Double vision
- Muscle weakness that is progressing downward
- Dehydration, the signs of which include extreme thirst, dry mouth, minimal urination, or feeling severely weak, dizzy or lightheaded
If a doctor determines you have food poisoning and you believe it was contracted from someplace other than your own home, you should notify your local health department and contact a qualified Orlando injury lawyer to learn about your legal rights. You may be entitled to financial compensation from the establishment that caused your illness.