We have all been there. In the hours after a good meal—or maybe the next day—you might start feeling a little off. Maybe your stomach begins to bother you, or you are feeling dizzy and cannot explain why. You might wonder if you are coming down with a gastrointestinal bug, and you might even start trying to figure out if anyone around you seemed sick in the last couple of days. At some point, you might start wondering if you are feeling ill because of something you ate.
The reality is that thousands of people are affected by food poisoning or a foodborne illness in the United States each year. The vast majority of victims suffer at home, as their symptoms are not serious enough to warrant a trip to the doctor. However, it is important to recognize when you should seek medical attention to ensure that your health and your right to compensation, in certain cases, are fully protected.
The Most Common Food Poisoning Symptoms
Generally, food poisoning is caused by consuming food that is contaminated with pathogens, such as E. coli, salmonella, and listeria. While the illnesses associated with each pathogen are different, they tend to share many of the same symptoms. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the most common symptoms of food poisoning include:
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