outbreaks
How Long Does Food Poisoning Last?
The duration of food poisoning depends entirely on which pathogen caused it. Norovirus typically resolves in 1–3 days, while Listeria infections can persist for weeks. Knowing the timeline helps you decide when to ride it out and when to see a doctor.
Duration by pathogen
Norovirus causes intense vomiting and diarrhea for 1–3 days. Salmonella typically lasts 4–7 days with diarrhea, fever, and cramps. E. coli STEC infections last 5–10 days and can develop into kidney failure (HUS) in severe cases. Campylobacter lasts 2–5 days. Listeria has an incubation period of 1–4 weeks and can cause serious illness lasting weeks, especially in vulnerable populations.
When food poisoning becomes dangerous
Most food poisoning is self-limiting — uncomfortable but not dangerous. It becomes serious when dehydration sets in (especially in children and elderly), when bloody stool appears (possible E. coli STEC or Shigella), when fever exceeds 101.5°F, or when neurological symptoms develop (possible Botulism or Listeria meningitis). These situations require immediate medical attention.
Connect your symptoms to active outbreaks
If you're currently experiencing food poisoning symptoms, checking for active outbreak investigations can help you and your doctor identify the cause faster. Panko Alerts tracks every CDC outbreak investigation and FDA recall in real time — if what you ate recently is linked to an active investigation, you'll know.
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