Tests for Food Poisoning

Although the U.S. food supply is generally very safe, it can occasionally become infected with an assortment of germs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says an estimated 76 million people in the U.S. become sick from food-borne illnesses (food poisoning) annually. The CDC says 5,000 people die as a result of eating contaminated food.

Infectious Organisms

• According to the Mayo Clinic, bacteria, viruses, and parasites are the typical culprits of food poisoning.

  These infectious organisms can taint food at any time from the growing, harvesting, processing and shipping of food to the improper handling, storing, or cooking of food once you get it home.

Eating Contaminated Food

• It's not always certain that you will become sick from eating tainted food. It depends largely on the source of the impurity, the extent of contamination, and your overall health and age. When people do become sick, the severity can range from just a short, mild illness to life-threatening disease.

Symptoms

• Food poisoning symptoms can begin a few hours after eating the contaminated item or not until several days later. While symptoms can vary depending on the specific type of contamination, they generally include nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, and a fever.

  It's important to see your doctor if you notice blood in your bowel movements or are experiencing intense abdominal pain. You should also seek medical treatment if vomiting or severe diarrhea persists for more than a couple of days

Diagnosing Food Poisoning

• If you suspect you're a victim of food poisoning, your doctor will conduct a complete physical exam and check for any signs of dehydration. He or she will want to know exactly what foods you have eaten recently and how long you have been experiencing symptoms.

Tests for Food Poisoning

• Your doctor may perform a blood test, stool culture, or examination for parasites in order to determine the source of your food poisoning.

  If your doctor requests a stool sample, a laboratory technician will attempt to grow and identify the infectious organism.

  The CDC says parasites can be identified by studying stools under the microscope.

  However, since viruses are much too tiny to view microscopically, they are routinely identified by testing stool samples for genetic markers that indicate the existence of a specific virus.

Diagnostic Challenges

• Since many food-borne contaminants are not identifiable through routine laboratory procedures, they can require highly specialized and experimental tests that are costly and difficult to access.

  A large percentage of people who suspect they have food poisoning never seek medical attention and many of those who do are not tested.

  The CDC estimates there are 38 cases of salmonellosis for every case that is actually diagnosed and reported to public health officials.

Treatment

• For the vast majority of people who contract food poisoning, the illness will run its course and symptoms usually go away within 48 hours without special treatment.

  If your symptoms are severe due to certain kinds of bacterial food poisoning, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics.

  The standard home remedies for food poisoning include replacing lost fluids to avoid dehydration.

  Minerals such as sodium, potassium, and calcium help preserve the balance of fluids in your body.