The symptoms of food poisoning are as varied as its sources. The most common ones are diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramping, headache, abdominal pain, fever, chills, fatigue, and loss of appetite. Some cases of food poisoning produce no noticeable symptoms. Most cases of food poisoning resolve themselves within 48 hours without medical treatment.

Parasites

Parasitic infections are most likely to produce abdominal and intestinal symptoms and will be much more serious in persons with compromised immune systems. Toxic poisoning is the least common cause of food poisoning, and can have all the symptoms of parasitic infection, plus sweating, numbness (especially around the mouth), muscle pain, weakness, rapid heart beat, upper body skin rash, blurred vision, and tremors.

Viruses

Viral food poisoning may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, headache, jaundice, or slight fever. Most often seen currently are Norwalk Virus, Rotavirus and Hepatitis A.

Nerve Toxins

Some of the most dangerous cases of food poisoning are those that generate nerve toxins. The symptoms of nerve toxin food poisoning include blurred vision, double vision, muscle weakness, droopy eyelids, distorted speech, dry mouth and difficulty in swallowing. In these cases, permanent damage, paralysis, or death can result if left untreated. Among these are fugu poisoning (erratic heart beat, low blood pressure, numbness, weakness, nausea, vomiting); botulism (from improper food preservation, resulting in blurred vision, droopy eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing and muscle weakness); and poison mushrooms (sweating, hallucinations, shaking, coma and death).

Ciguatera Fish Poisoning

Ciguatera fish poisoning, which results from contamination from microscopic algae called dinoflagellates, usually produces symptoms within five hours of consumption. The symptoms can last for two to three weeks, but may last months or years. Initial symptoms may resemble flu, but if prolonged, they may include depression, low blood pressure, low blood volume, and even coma and death. Similar plankton poisoning in shellfish is known as paralytic shellfish poisoning (“PSP”). Symptoms include headache, nausea, tingling of the mouth, disorientation, poor coordination, slurred speech, shortness of breath, muscle weakness, diarrhea, and eventually even paralysis.

Pesticides

Pesticides provide another widespread method of food poisoning. Some varieties of insect poison work by disrupting the insect’s nervous system. Unfortunately, their nervous systems are very similar to our own. Symptoms may include headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness, muscle twitching, excessive sweating and salivation. Repeated exposure or higher doses can result in unconsciousness, convulsions, respiratory arrest and death.

If you have suffered a severe bout of food poisoning and suspect negligence on the part of those who provided the food to you, contact an experienced food poisoning lawyer right away. You may be entitled to damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Most lawyers will offer a free initial consultation and work on a contingency fee basis, which means their fees are not paid unless you prevail or reach a settlement favorable to you. If you have lost a loved one due to food poisoning, call a qualified wrongful death attorney immediately. See Food Poisoning Lawsuits for more information.