Dangers of Food Poisoning
Food poisoning is extremely common in the United States, causing approximately 76 million counts of illness every year. There are many causes of food poisoning, ranging from improperly stored or preserved food to poor food preparation or lack of thorough cooking.
Regardless of the cause, however, food poisoning is a potentially life-threatening illness that must be taken seriously.
Signs and Symptoms
In order to prevent serious damage, it is important that people who suspect that they might have food poisoning take themselves to a hospital or other medical facility to receive professional treatment. You may want to visit a doctor if you have been exhibiting one or more of the following symptoms and suspect food poisoning:
- Headaches
- Nausea and / or vomiting
- Severe stomach cramps and / or diarrhea
- While some of these symptoms can be indicative of much less serious illnesses or conditions, they may indicate food poisoning if they continue after two days. Additionally, you should contact a medical professional immediately if you notice any blood in your vomit or stool or if you experience stomach cramps that last for longer than ten minutes at a time.
Possible Food Poisoning Causes
There are several different ways in which food poisoning can take place. Some of the most common include:
- Insufficient storage
- Contamination through unwashed hands
- Using utensils on cooked meat that had been used earlier on raw meat
- Intentional contamination (by disgruntled workers or as a terrorist action)
- Insufficient or incorrect preparation (i.e. food not cooked long enough)
Contact Us
If you or someone you know has been the victim of food poisoning, contact Cincinnati food poisoning lawyer Shawn M. Stepleton today at 513-321-7733 to discuss your legal rights and options.