outbreaks
Food Poisoning Symptoms: When to See a Doctor
Most food poisoning resolves on its own within 1–3 days. But certain symptoms signal a serious infection that requires medical attention — and knowing the difference can be lifesaving, especially for children, the elderly, and pregnant women.
Common food poisoning symptoms
Typical food poisoning symptoms include nausea, vomiting, watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, and low-grade fever. These usually appear 6–24 hours after eating contaminated food and resolve within 1–3 days with rest and hydration. Most cases don't require medical treatment beyond staying hydrated.
When to seek medical attention
See a doctor if you experience: bloody stool or vomit, fever above 101.5°F, signs of dehydration (dry mouth, dizziness, no urination), symptoms lasting more than 3 days, or neurological symptoms like blurred vision or tingling. These can indicate infections from Listeria, E. coli STEC, Botulism, or other dangerous pathogens that require treatment.
Stay ahead of outbreaks
If you're experiencing symptoms and there's an active outbreak linked to something you recently ate, knowing about it can help your doctor diagnose and treat you faster. Panko Alerts tracks every CDC outbreak investigation and FDA recall — so you can connect the dots between what you ate and what's been reported.
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