Bacteria and viruses are the most common cause of food poisoning. The symptoms and severity of food poisoning vary, depending on which bacteria or virus has contaminated the food.

To prevent illness, always follow the food safety steps: clean, separate, cook, and chill. Other prevention tips for specific bacteria and viruses are included below.

The bacteria and viruses that cause the most illnesses, hospitalizations, or deaths in the United States are described below and include:

Other important bacteria and viruses that cause foodborne illness include:

Bacillus cereus

Sources A variety of foods, particularly rice and leftovers, as well as sauces, soups, and other prepared foods that have sat out too long at room temperature. Incubation period Diarrheal: 6-15 hours

Emetic (vomiting): 30 minutes to 6 hours Symptoms Diarrheal: Watery diarrhea and abdominal cramps

Emetic (vomiting): Nausea and vomiting Duration of illness 24 hours What to do Drink plenty of fluids and get rest. If you cannot drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration, call your doctor. Prevention If food is to be stored longer than two hours, keep hot foods hot (over 140°F) and cold foods cold (40°F or under)

Store cooked food in a wide, shallow container and refrigerate as soon as possible.

Sources Infants : Honey and products containing honey, such as infant pacifiers filled with or dipped in honey .

: Honey . Infants, children and adults: Improperly home-canned or preserved foods, including low-acid vegetables and fermented fish; improperly canned commercial foods; herb-infused oils, baked potatoes in aluminum foil, cheese sauce, bottled garlic. Incubation period Infants : 3-30 days

: 3-30 days Children and adults: 12-72 hours Symptoms Infants: Lethargy, poor feeding, constipation, weak crying, poor muscle tone (appear "floppy").

Lethargy, poor feeding, constipation, weak crying, poor muscle tone (appear "floppy"). Children and adults: Double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, and muscle weakness. Duration of illness Variable What to do Botulism is a medical emergency. If you have symptoms of botulism, see your doctor or go to the emergency room immediately. Prevention Follow safe home canning instructions provided by the National Center for Home Preservation .

Consult with your local Cooperative Extension Service . Most offices have a food safety specialist that can help home canning advice.

Do not feed honey or give honey pacifiers to children younger than 12 months.

Sources Unpasteurized (raw) milk, chicken, shellfish, turkey, contaminated water. Incubation period 2 to 5 days Symptoms Diarrhea, cramps, fever, and vomiting; diarrhea may be bloody. Duration of illness 2 to 10 days What to do Drink plenty of fluids and get rest. If you cannot drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration or if your symptoms are severe, call your doctor. Antibiotics are recommended only for patients who are very ill or are more likely to develop a serious illness, such as people with weakened immune systems. Prevention Drink pasteurized milk. Do not drink raw milk.

Do not drink untreated water.

Sources Beef, poultry, gravies, food left for long periods in steam tables or at room temperature, and time and/or temperature abused foods. Incubation period 6 to 24 hours Symptoms Diarrhea and stomach cramps (no fever or vomiting), Duration of illness 24 hours or less. In severe cases, symptoms may last for 1-2 weeks. What to do Drink plenty of fluids and get rest. If you cannot drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration, call your doctor. Prevention Thoroughly cook foods, particularly meat, poultry, and gravies, to a safe internal temperature.

Use a food thermometer to make sure.

Keep food hot after cooking (at 140˚ F or above) and serve meat dishes hot, within 2 hours after cooking.

Microwave leftovers thoroughly (to 165˚F or above).

Refrigerate leftovers within two hours of preparation (at 40˚F or below).

Divide large amounts of food, such as roasts or big pots of chili or stew, into shallow containers and refrigerate immediately. It is OK to put hot foods directly in the refrigerator.

Sources Contaminated food, especially undercooked ground beef, unpasteurized (raw) milk and juice, soft cheeses made from raw milk, and raw fruits and vegetables (such as lettuce, other leafy greens, and sprouts).

Contaminated water, including drinking untreated water and swimming in contaminated water.

Animals and their environment, particularly cows, sheep, and goats.

Feces of infected people. Incubation period 1 to 10 days Symptoms Severe diarrhea that is often bloody, severe stomach pain, and vomiting. Usually little or no fever is present.

Symptoms of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) include decreased urine production, dark or tea-colored urine, and facial pallor. Duration of illness 5 to 10 days. Most people will be better in 6-8 days. If HUS develops, it usually occurs after about 1 week. What to do Drink plenty of fluids and get rest. If you cannot drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration or if your symptoms are severe (including bloody diarrhea or severe stomach pain), call your doctor. Prevention Avoid eating high-risk foods, especially undercooked ground beef, unpasteurized milk or juice, soft cheeses made from unpasteurized milk, or sprouts.

Use a food thermometer to make sure that ground beef has reached a safe internal temperature of 160° F.

Wash hands before, during, and after preparing food, after diapering infants, and after contact with cows, sheep, or goats, their food or treats, or their living environment.

Sources Raw or undercooked shellfish from contaminated waters, raw produce, contaminated drinking water, uncooked foods, and cooked foods that are not reheated after contact with an infected food handler. Incubation period 28 days average (ranges from 15 to 50 days) Symptoms Diarrhea, dark urine or light-colored stools , jaundice, fever, fatigue, nausea, joint pain, stomach pain, upset stomach, and loss of appetite. Duration of illness Variable, from 2 weeks to 6 months. What to do See your doctor if you have signs or symptoms of hepatitis A or think you may have been exposed to the virus. Prevention Avoid eating raw oysters or other raw or undercooked shellfish.

Wash hands frequently with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds, particularly after using the bathroom, after changing diapers, and before, during, and after preparing food.

Vaccination is the best way to prevent hepatitis A. Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for: All children at age 1 year People with direct contact with others who have hepatitis A People with chronic or long-term liver disease People with clotting-factor disorders Travelers to countries where hepatitis A is common Men who have sexual encounters with other men People who use or inject drugs People experiencing homelessness



Sources Unpasteurized (raw) milk and dairy products.

Soft cheese made with unpasteurized milk, such as queso fresco, feta, Brie, Camembert.

Raw fruits and vegetables (such as sprouts).

Ready-to-eat deli meats and hot dogs.

Refrigerated pâtés or meat spreads.

Refrigerated smoked seafood.

Be aware that Hispanic-style cheeses made from pasteurized milk, such as queso fresco, have caused Listeria infections, most likely because they were contaminated during cheese-making. Incubation period 7 to 70 days Symptoms Listeria can cause fever and diarrhea similar to other foodborne germs, but this type of Listeria infection is rarely diagnosed.



Symptoms in people with invasive listeriosis, meaning the bacteria has spread beyond the gut, include: For pregnant women: fever, fatigue and muscle aches. Pregnant women may also have no symptoms but experience fetal death, pre-term labor, or infection of the newborn.

For all others, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions in addition to fever and muscle aches. Duration of illness Days to weeks Who is at risk Adults age 65 and older

Pregnant women and their newborns

People whose immune systems are weakened due to illness or medical treatment What to do For invasive listeriosis, antibiotics given promptly can cure the infection. In pregnant women, antibiotics are given to prevent infection in the unborn baby. Prevention Do not drink raw (unpasteurized) milk, and do not eat soft cheeses made with it, such as queso fresco.

Heat hot dogs, cold cuts, and deli meats to an internal temperature of 165°F or until steaming hot before eating.

Eat cut melon right away or refrigerate it.

People at higher risk should not eat the following foods: Refrigerated pâtés or meat spreads from a deli or meat counter or from the refrigerated section of a store Refrigerated smoked seafood, unless it is canned or shelf-stable or it is in a cooked dish, such as a casserole Raw or lightly cooked sprouts of any kind Soft cheese, such as queso fresco, queso blanco, panela, brief, Camembert, blue-veined, or feta, unless labeled as made with pasteurized milk

the following foods: People at higher risk should be aware that Hispanic-style cheeses made from pasteurized milk, such as queso fresco, have caused Listeria infections, most likely because they were contaminated during cheese-making.

Sources Produce, shellfish, ready-to-eat foods touched by infected food workers (salads, sandwiches, ice, cookies, fruit), or any other foods contaminated with particles of vomit or feces from an infected person. Incubation period 12 to 48 hours Symptoms Diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain. Diarrhea tends to be watery and non-bloody. Diarrhea is more common in adults and vomiting is more common in children. Duration of illness 1 to 3 days. Among young children, older adults, and hospitalized patients, it can last 4 to 6 days. What to do Drink plenty of fluids and get rest. If you cannot drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration, call your doctor. Prevention Wash hands frequently with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds, particularly after using the bathroom and before, during, and after preparing food.

If you work in a restaurant or deli, avoid bare-hand contact with ready-to-eat foods.

Clean and disinfect surfaces contaminated by vomit or diarrhea (use a bleach-based household cleaner as directed on the label). Clean and disinfect food preparation equipment and surfaces.

If you are ill with diarrhea or vomiting and for two days afterwards, do not cook, prepare, or serve food for others.

Wash fruits and vegetables and cook oysters and other shellfish thoroughly before eating them.

Wash clothing or linens soiled by vomit or fecal matter immediately. Remove the items carefully to avoid spreading the virus. Machine wash and dry.

Sources Food: A variety of foods have been linked to Salmonella, including vegetables, chicken, pork, fruits, nuts, eggs, beef and sprouts. Animals and their environments: Particularly reptiles (snakes, turtles, lizards), amphibians (frogs), birds (baby chicks) and pet food and treats. Incubation period 12 to 72 hours Symptoms Diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps, vomiting Duration of illness 4 to 7 days What to do Drink plenty of fluids and get rest. If you cannot drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration or if your symptoms are severe, call your doctor. Antibiotics are recommended only for patients who have a serious illness (such as severe diarrhea, high fever, or bloodstream infection), or are more likely to develop a severe illness or complications (infants, adults over 65 years old, and people with weakened immune systems). Prevention Avoid eating high-risk foods, including raw or lightly cooked eggs, undercooked ground beef or poultry, and unpasteurized (raw) milk.

Wash your hands after contact with animals, their food or treats, or their living environment.

Sources Contact with an infected person or consumption of contaminated food or water. Shigella foodborne outbreaks are most often associated with contamination by a sick food handler. Incubation period 1 to 7 days (usually 1 to 2 days) Symptoms Sudden stomach cramping, fever, diarrhea that may be bloody or contains mucus, nausea, and feeling the need to pass stool even when the bowels are empty. Duration of illness 5 to 7 days Who's at risk? Children, especially toddlers aged 2-4, though anyone can be infected with Shigella. What to do Drink plenty of fluids and get rest. Stay home from school or work to avoid spreading the bacteria to others. If you cannot drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration or have bloody diarrhea, call your doctor. Prevention Wash hands with soap carefully and frequently, especially after going to the bathroom, after changing diapers, and before preparing foods or beverages.

Stay home from healthcare, food service, or childcare jobs while sick or until your health department says it's safe to return.

Keep children with diarrhea out of child care settings and school while they are ill.

Dispose of soiled diapers properly.

Disinfect diaper changing areas after using them.

Supervise handwashing of toddlers and small children after they use the toilet.

Do not prepare food for others while ill with diarrhea

Avoid swallowing water from ponds, lakes, or untreated pools.

Avoid having sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) for one week after you no longer have diarrhea.

When traveling in developing countries, drink only treated or boiled water, and eat only cooked hot foods or fruits you peel yourself.

Sources People who carry the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (Staph), which is commonly found on the skin, can contaminate food if they don't wash their hands before touching it. Foods that are not cooked after handling, such as sliced meats, puddings, pastries, and sandwiches, are especially risky if contaminated with Staph. Incubation period 30 minutes to 8 hours Symptoms Sudden start of nausea, vomiting, and stomach cramps. Most people also have diarrhea. Duration of illness 1 day What to do Drink plenty of fluids. If you cannot drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration, call your doctor. Your doctor may give you medicine to decrease nausea and vomiting. Prevention Use a food thermometer and cook foods to their safe minimum internal temperature.

Keep hot foods hot (140°F or hotter) and cold foods cold (40°F or colder).

Store cooked food in shallow containers and refrigerate within 2 hours (or 1 hour if it’s hotter than 90° F outside).

Wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water before, during, and after preparing food, and before eating.

Do not prepare food if you are ill with diarrhea or vomiting.

Wear gloves while preparing food if you have wounds or infections on your hands or wrists.

Sources Most people become infected by eating raw or undercooked shellfish, particularly oysters. Certain Vibrio species can also cause a skin infection when an open wound is exposed to salt water or brackish water. Brackish water is a mixture of fresh water and salt water. It is often found where rivers meet the sea. Incubation period V. vulnificus : 1 to 7 days

1 to 7 days V. parahaemolyticus: 4 to 30 hours Symptoms In healthy people: Diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain

Diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain In high-risk people: Sudden chills, fever, shock, skin lesions Duration of illness 3 days, when spread through food. Duration of wound infections is variable. What to do If you have symptoms within a few days after eating raw or undercooked seafood, especially oysters, or develop a skin infection after being exposed to salt water or brackish water, contact your doctor. Don’t chance it! Some Vibrio species, such as Vibrio vulnificus, can cause particularly severe and life-threatening infections. Prevention Don’t eat raw or undercooked oysters or other shellfish. Cook them before eating.

Always wash your hands with soap and water after handing raw shellfish.

Avoid contaminating cooked shellfish with raw shellfish and its juices.

Stay out of salt water or brackish water if you have a wound (including cuts and scrapes), or cover your wound with a waterproof bandage if there's a possibility it could come into contact with salt water or brackish water, raw seafood, or raw seafood juices.

Wash wounds and cuts thoroughly with soap and water if they have been exposed to seawater or raw seafood or its juices. If you are in a group more likely to get a Vibrio infection, such as people with liver disease: Wear clothes and shoes that can protect you from cuts and scrapes when in salt water or brackish water.

Wear protective gloves when handling raw seafood.

General Information

Foodborne Illnesses and Germs (CDC)

Bad Bug Book (FDA)