How Long Does Food Poisoning Last?

Food poisoning usually lasts between a few hours and several days, although certain infections can continue for a week or longer. The duration depends on the organism or toxin, the amount of contaminated food consumed, and the affected person’s health. Symptoms often include vomiting, diarrhoea, nausea, abdominal cramps, and fever. Serious cases can cause dehydration and other complications. If contaminated food from a restaurant, caterer, shop, or manufacturer is suspected, preserve evidence including receipts, packaging, photographs, and medical records. Laboratory testing and public health investigations can help identify the pathogen and source. For a legal claim, it is generally necessary to show more than a temporal connection between eating and becoming sick. The evidence must support that the food was contaminated, caused the illness, and was supplied or handled by a legally responsible party. Severe or persistent symptoms should be medically evaluated.