9 Types of Food Poisoning (and How to Avoid Getting Them)

The Campylobacter bacteria is a common cause of food poisoning that affects 1.3 million people a year. Symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps will usually set into the affected person within a few days and last about a week. Medical attention is not usually needed.

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Because Campylobacter typically lives in the digestive tract of animals, it is typically found in animal byproducts. The bacteria is typically found in improperly cooked meat, especially poultry. Unpasteurized milk can also be affected.

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Cholera was once extremely common in the Western world, but modern sewage and sanitation systems have helped prevent most outbreaks. It’s extremely common in developing countries. Cholera causes severe diarrhea for about a week.

Cholera is most commonly caused by contaminated water. Drinking properly sanitized water will typically prevent cholera causes. Because cholera is a bacterium that thrives in water, it can sometimes be found in undercooked seafood as well.

E. coli Enteritis is a dangerous strain of a typically harmless bacteria. It’s a potentially dangerous sort of food poisoning that is often acquired while traveling. The most common symptom is severe diarrhea, but fever, fatigue, dehydration, and vomiting are also causes. Symptoms develop within three days of contracting the bacteria and typically last about two days.

E. coli Enteritis food poisoning can cause by a whole host of things. Like most types of food poisoning, undercooked meat can be problematic. Foods that should be refrigerated but are left out too long can become affected. Improperly washing your hands or your food before preparing a meal can also cause serious issues.

Ciguatera is the most common food poisoning related to seafood. In addition to standard food poisoning symptoms like nausea and vomiting, but ciguatera can bring some neurological symptoms as well. Most noticeably, people notice that hot things feel cold and cold things feel hot. Vertigo, itching, and tingling extremities may also occur. There is no cure, and symptoms can last days, weeks, or even years.

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Ciguatera is a toxic marine microalga that often affects fish that affect reef fish that weigh more than 6 lbs. The microalgae will typically affect barracuda, grouper, eel, sea bass, and Spanish mackerel.

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Listeria is an interesting type of food poisoning because it can survive in most settings. It can grow with or without oxygen. It can grow in a fridge or in a freezer. However, its symptoms are fairly standard for food poisoning and only last a few days.

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Listeria can be found in a number of atypical foods. Deli meat is a common carrier, but so are soft cheeses, cantaloupes, and hot dogs.

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Staphylococcal infections, or staph infection, is a type of food poisoning that spreads extremely easily. It’s a bacterium that often lives on people’s skin and becomes dangerous when affected. Within 30 minutes of being affected, you can begin to experience nausea, vomiting, and stomach cramps. These symptoms typically only cast a day.

Staph infections are typically transmitted by people preparing food without washing their hands. This puts foods like deli meats at an increased risk of carrying staph.

Salmonella is one of the most common types of food poisoning. It affects hundreds of thousands of people each year and causes hundreds of deaths. Salmonella can set in within a few hours. Common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps.

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Salmonella poisoning is often caused by common food items. Eggs, dairy products, and raw poultry are the most common culprits.

A norovirus infection can be caused by foods or by someone carrying the infection. Because it is transmitted so easily, places like hospitals, nursing homes, or daycares are at a higher risk. Symptoms include the sudden onset of diarrhea, vomiting, and fever.

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Norovirus is often caused by the healthiest foods. Leafy greens like lettuce and spinach are some of the biggest culprits. Fresh fruits and shellfish can also carry the illness.

Botulism is a rare but potentially lethal type of poisoning. Symptoms can set in as early as 12 hours. Symptoms are unusual. Infected people develop dry mouths, weakened facial muscles, double vision, and trouble breathing. Vomiting can also occur. Paralysis is a rare and extreme symptom. 

Botulism, although rare, is caused by extremely common foods. Home-canned foods, although delicious, are the most-frequent carriers. Baked potatoes wrapped in aluminum can also cause botulism.