Symptoms

Symptoms of a food-borne illness depend on the microorganism or toxin ingested and on the health of the infected person. 

The most common symptoms are:

• stomach ache
• diarrhoea
• vomiting
• fever 
• headaches and fatigue (less common).

After ingestion of a contaminated food, the time to onset of symptoms (incubation) varies from a few hours to a few days or a few months depending on the microorganism involved.

Symptoms caused by ingesting a toxin usually occur within hours after the meal.

More severe complications may occur such as septicemia, blocked kidneys, nervous disorders or miscarriage.