When is it “just a bug?” When is it food poisoning?

A new consumer research report says the true costs of health-related, food-borne illnesses are four times higher than USDA estimates, coming in at $152 billion each year if you count medical costs, lost wages and lost productivity.

Regardless of which estimate is more accurate, it is smart to know the difference between a bug and bad food.

How can you tell when you are suffering from food poisoning? The Mayo Clinic website is an excellent resource for checking up on a wide range of problems. It offers readers an overview, symptoms list, advice about when to see a doctor and much more. It is one you can count on. Be sure to bookmark it.

One of the biggest problems with food poisoning is the belief that people get sick within hours of eating contaminated food. Maybe. Maybe not. As you will see below, the Mayo Clinic experts say, as do others, that symptoms may begin within hours or they may not show up until days later.

The length of time between eating a bad food and the point at which symptoms appear makes it especially hard for anyone who has a confirmed case of food poisoning to identify what the problem food may be. Do you remember what you had to eat last Thursday? Who does, unless it was at a big meeting or for a birthday dinner?

Mayo Clinic Symptoms List for Food Poisoning

“Food poisoning symptoms vary with the source of contamination. Most types of food poisoning cause one or more of the following signs and symptoms:”

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Watery diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Stomach cramps
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Fever

“Signs and symptoms may start within hours after eating the contaminated food, or they may begin days later. Sickness caused by food poisoning generally lasts from one to 10 days. “ (Emphasis added)

Mayo Clinic Advice…When to See a Doctor

“If you experience any of the following signs or symptoms, seek medical attention.”

• Frequent episodes of vomiting for more than two days
• Vomiting blood
• Inability to keep liquids down for 24 hours
• Severe diarrhea for more than three days
• Blood in your bowel movements
• Extreme pain or severe abdominal cramping
• An oral temperature higher than 101.5 F (38.6 C)
• Signs or symptoms of dehydration — excessive thirst, dry mouth, little or no urination, severe weakness, dizziness or lightheadedness

Mayo Clinic Advice…Notify Your Health Department

“If you suspect food poisoning, contact your local health department. Your report can help the health department identify a potential outbreak and may help prevent other people from getting sick. Besides listing your symptoms, you may need to recall what you ate, where you got the food and when you got sick.”

The Los Angeles Times

“It turns out that tainted food can not only make people sick, but it can also cost them a bundle in the process.

“A new consumer research report released Wednesday has found that the health-related costs of food-borne illnesses total $152 billion a year, including the costs of medical bills, lost wages and lost productivity. That total is more than four times that of earlier estimates calculated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.”

Source: Los Angeles Times, March 3, 2010

Source: Produce Safety Project, Georgetown University

Source: Mayo Clinic Website, Current as of March 3, 2010