Foodborne Illness

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Foodborne Illness

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Environmental Health Services

Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

3160 Center Street NE

Salem, OR 97301

Phone: 503-588-5346

Fax: 503-566-2986

Email: EnvironmentalHealth@co.marion.or.us

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Summary of Services

A foodborne illness outbreak happens when two or more people who don't know each other eat the same contaminated food. The people may have eaten together at one location. They may also be strangers who bought the same contaminated item. This can happen at a grocery store or restaurant.

An outbreak begins when something contaminates the food. Several events often work together to cause the problem.

For example:

Food may sit at room temperature for many hours
The food may not be cooked to a high enough temperature
The person who made the food did not wash their hands.

There are more than 250 known foodborne diseases. This number does not include illnesses caused by chemicals or allergens. Most foodborne diseases are infections. Bacteria, viruses, and parasites cause most of them. Harmful chemicals in food can also cause serious illness.

Symptoms depend on the type of illness. Common symptoms include:

Nausea
Vomiting
Stomach cramps
Diarrhea

Chemical poisoning can cause symptoms very quickly. Food allergies can also cause fast and serious reactions. Seek medical care right away if symptoms are severe or sudden..

Four Steps to Food Safety | CDC

Incubation Periods

Incubation Periods of the Most Common Foodborne Pathogens

PATHOGEN	INCUBATION PERIOD
Staphylococcus aureus	1 to 8 hours, typically 2 to 4 hours.
Campylobacter	2 to 7 days, typically 3 to 5 days.
E. coli O157:H7	1 to 10 days, typically 2 to 5 days.
Salmonella	6 to 72 hours, typically 18-36 hours.
Shigella	12 hours to 7 days, typically 1-3 days.
Hepatitis A	15 to 50 days, typically 25-30 days.
Listeria	3 to 70 days, typically 14 days.
Norovirus	24 to 72 hours, typically 36 hours.

Common myths of foodborne illness

If you think you have a foodborne illness, start by checking the facts.

Myth: The Last Thing I Ate Made Me Sick

This is not always true.

Germs take time to make you sick. You may feel sick hours or even days later. Check the incubation period chart to see how long symptoms can take. Incubation period means the time between eating the food and feeling sick.

What You Should Do

Write down:

What you ate
Where you ate
When you ate

Include as much detail as you can. This information helps health staff find the source.

Myth: If Others Feel Fine, the Food Was Safe

This is also not always true. Germs do not always spread evenly in food. One serving may have more germs than another.

People's immune systems work differently. Your immune system is your body's defense against illness. One person may get very sick. Another person may not feel sick at all.

Example

Two people eat ground beef from the same package.
One person gets sick from E. coli or Salmonella.
The other person stays healthy.

People react differently to germs and toxins. Toxins are harmful substances made by germs or found in food.

If You Feel Sick

Track what you ate.
Watch your symptoms.
Seek medical care if symptoms are severe.
Contact your local health department if you think food made you sick.

Clear and accurate details help protect others from getting sick.

How can I find out if I am sick because of something I ate or drank?

Severe food poisoning symptoms often require medical care. You may need to visit an emergency room or see a doctor. Seek care right away if symptoms are serious or sudden.

Doctors use laboratory tests to find the cause of illness. A laboratory test checks body samples to identify germs.

Most foodborne illnesses are diagnosed by testing a stool sample. A stool sample is a small sample of bowel movement.

Lab tests can detect bacteria such as:

E. coli O157:H7
Salmonella
Shigella
Campylobacter

These bacteria can cause serious intestinal illness.

Doctors can identify parasites by examining stool under a microscope. A parasite is a small organism that lives in or on another living being.

To detect viruses, labs may test:

A stool sample
A blood sample

Routine lab tests do not detect every foodborne infection. Doctors must order specific tests to identify certain germs. If they do not request the right test, the lab may not find the cause.

If you believe you have food poisoning:

Tell your doctor you suspect a foodborne illness.
Ask about testing for common germs.
Share details about what and where you ate.

Clear and detailed information helps your doctor choose the right test.

Should I see a doctor if I think I have a foodborne illness?

Yes. Seek medical care if your symptoms are severe or do not improve. Foodborne illness can sometimes lead to serious health problems. Getting medical care quickly can prevent complications.

Get Medical Care Right Away If You Have:

Blood in your stool
Vomiting that lasts several hours
Signs of dehydration, such as dry mouth or little urination
Diarrhea that lasts three days or more
Black or tarry stools, which may signal internal bleeding
Severe stomach pain
Fever with other serious symptoms
Trouble breathing
Dizziness or fainting
A weak or rapid pulse
Heavy sweating

Black, tarry stool can mean bleeding in the digestive tract. This condition requires urgent medical attention.

People at Higher Risk

Some people face a higher risk of serious illness. They should contact a health care provider if symptoms last more than 24 hours.

Higher risk groups include:

Young children
Older adults
People with weakened immune systems

The immune system protects the body from infection.

Call 911 or Go to the Emergency Room If:

You have trouble breathing
You show signs of severe dehydration
You feel faint or lose consciousness
You have swelling or signs of a severe allergic reaction

A severe allergic reaction is called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is life threatening and needs emergency care.

Health & Human Services Environmental Health

Email Privacy: While we are happy to answer general questions via email, we suggest you do not transmit personal or health related information in your message. We cannot meet any expectation you might have of confidentiality when you communicate with us over the Internet. If you have a specific personal or health-related issue, please call the appropriate county government office instead.

Email address: health@co.marion.or.us

Programs & Services

To report a public health emergency, or make an urgent report of communicable disease, call (503) 588-5621 at anytime.