How Long Does Food Poisoning Last?

Food poisoning usually lasts a few hours to several days, although some 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, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal cramps, and fever. Serious cases can cause dehydration and other complications. If you suspect contaminated food from a restaurant, caterer, shop, or manufacturer, 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.