Types of Food Poisoning and Foodborne Pathogens

Food poisoning, also known as foodborne illness, is very common. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 48 million Americans get sick from food poisoning annually. Most of these cases are mild and last only a day or two, but some patients’ issues are more serious. The CDC also reports that 3,000 die from food poisoning yearly.

Most types of food poisoning will cause vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. The symptoms are often temporary. But in some cases, a gastrointestinal illness such as E. coli or salmonella can prove lethal. This is especially true for young children, older adults, and people with a weakened immune system.

This article explains the different types of foodborne pathogens and illnesses. You’ll also learn how to protect yourself from foodborne illnesses and your legal options if you get sick.

If you’ve gotten seriously ill from contaminated food, you may have a case under tort law. A personal injury attorney near you can assess your situation and advise on next steps. If you have a valid claim, your attorney will advocate for your rights and fight for fair compensation.

How Many Types of Foodborne Illnesses Are There?

There are at least 250 different kinds of food poisoning bacteria. The most common are E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria. Typically, when you learn of a food poisoning outbreak, the news is usually about one of these illnesses.

But there are other types. For example, bacteria spread through contaminated food or food handling. Some of these include:

• Botulism (Clostridium botulinum)
• Norovirus
• Campylobacter
• Vibrio
• Shigella
• Hepatitis A virus
• Gastroenteritis
• Meningitis
• Clostridium perfringens

Each type or strain of foodborne illness has its source. Some spread through contaminated water, while others come from raw meat or undercooked poultry. You can even catch a foodborne disease after eating from a dirty plate.

While norovirus makes up 46% of all food poisoning cases, salmonella and listeria are more dangerous. According to the American Council on Science and Health (ACSH), norovirus only accounts for 5% of all food-related deaths, while salmonella causes more than 20%. Listeria is even more dangerous, causing more than 50% of all food-related deaths.

How Do the Various Types of Food Poisoning Spread?

You can contract food poisoning from eating at a restaurant that doesn’t follow the health department’s safety guidelines. Or, you may get sick after eating spoiled food from the grocery store. Once you know how these diseases transfer, it’s easier to avoid them.

Some of the more common methods of transfer include:

• Handling food without proper hand washing
• Eating unwashed raw fruit, veggies, or raw produce that contains bacteria
• Eating undercooked or raw meat
• Consuming refrigerated food at room temperature for too long
• Cross-contamination of food bacteria
• Deli meats, hot dogs, or ground beef that the preparer didn’t store properly
• Drinking unpasteurized milk
• Ingesting spoiled dairy products or soft cheeses such as Brie
• Using cutting boards, utensils, or cooking on countertops without washing them

If you avoid these behaviors, you should be able to avoid most cases of food poisoning. If you do get sick, visit your healthcare provider if your symptoms persist for more than a day or two.

E. coli (Escherichia coli)

Most forms of E. coli are harmless. Even if you get sick, your symptoms will only last a day or two. The dangerous strain is E. coli 0157: H7. This strain of bacteria usually comes from the intestines of healthy livestock. The animal doesn’t have to be sick for the bacteria to exist in their digestive tract.

Some foods that carry E. coli include undercooked or raw meat, raw milk, and dairy products. It can spread to vegetables and fruits growing near the livestock. It also transfers through person-to-person contact.

The symptoms of E. coli include:

• Bloody diarrhea
• Abdominal cramps and stomach pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting

In severe cases of E. coli, patients may suffer from kidney failure, stroke, coma, and death.

You can kill E. coli bacteria by cooking your food to an internal temperature of at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

Salmonella (Salmonella enterica)

Another common type of food poisoning is salmonella. Most people assume that the only way to get salmonella is from raw or undercooked chicken and eggs. You can indeed catch salmonella from poultry, beef, and pork, but you can also develop this illness from drinking spoiled milk or eating tainted produce.

Salmonella exists in the digestive tracts of animals and humans. You will usually find it on fresh vegetables and fruit. Animal feces from the water and soil can make their way onto the crops.

Common symptoms of salmonella illness are similar to those of E. coli. They include:

• Diarrhea
• High fever
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headaches

In extreme cases, patients may experience arthritis, arterial infections, and endocarditis.

Salmonella, if left untreated, can last four to seven days. There isn’t much a doctor can do to help other than keep you hydrated and administer anti-nausea medication.

Listeria (Listeriosis)

Listeria monocytogenes is the bacteria that cause this foodborne illness. It’s usually more severe than E. coli and salmonella food poisoning. It is hazardous for the following:

• Infants and newborns
• Pregnant women
• People with a weakened immune system

Those with other chronic medical conditions are also at a higher risk of contracting Listeria. It transfers through contaminated water and soil. Farm animals that carry the bacteria spread it through waste. You often find Listeria bacteria in undercooked and raw meats, vegetables, and raw sprouts.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the symptoms of listeria infection are similar to those of other foodborne illnesses and include:

• High fever
• Muscle aches
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Loss of balance
• Convulsions

If you experience these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately. If not treated, listeria can prove life-threatening, especially in at-risk populations. Older adults and young children are highly vulnerable to this foodborne illness. Pregnant women must also be careful, as listeria can cause miscarriages and stillbirths.

One of the most concerning aspects of Listeria is its ability to survive both cooking and freezing. Even if you cook your contaminated food products, you can still get sick. According to the CDC, physicians diagnose more than 1,600 people with listeria, and approximately 260 people die annually.

Distinguishing Food Poisoning From Other Illnesses

It can be challenging to distinguish food poisoning from other illnesses with similar symptoms, such as the stomach flu or viral gastroenteritis. Many people who have norovirus assume they have a stomach bug.

If your symptoms become unbearable, you should seek medical attention immediately. The healthcare professionals will run the necessary tests to determine if you have a foodborne illness. If so, they may administer an IV with fluids and give you antibiotics.

With some foodborne illnesses, like listeria, you will know that you’re sick. The symptoms will be severe and will appear anywhere from 48 to 72 hours after you consume contaminated food.

How To Prevent and Avoid Foodborne Illnesses

The best way to avoid the symptoms of food poisoning is to avoid contaminated food. There are specific steps you can take to prevent foodborne illnesses. Be vigilant and use common sense.

Some of the safety tips you must follow to avoid getting sick include:

• Cook all ground beef and hamburger thoroughly.
• Drink only pasteurized milk, juice, or cider.
• Wash raw vegetables and fruits under running water.
• Avoid swallowing lake or pool water while swimming.
• Practice good hygiene.
• Remember to use an instant-read thermometer and adhere to recommended minimum safe cooking temperatures.
• Separate cooked and uncooked meats.
• Thoroughly wash raw fruits and vegetables to remove any trace of soil before eating.
• Reheat precooked meats, such as hot dogs, until they are steaming.
• Wash hands, knives, cutting boards, and other kitchen surfaces after handling raw meat.
• If a server brings you undercooked meat, poultry, or eggs in a restaurant, send it back to the kitchen for further cooking.
• Wash hands with soap after handling reptiles, birds, or baby chicks, and after any contact with pet feces.
• If holding an infant, don’t work with raw poultry or meat.

This list may seem overwhelming. Don’t be intimidated or doubt yourself.

Food Poisoning Legal Options

If you develop any infectious disease after eating spoiled or tainted food, you may have a legal claim. It depends on the facts of your case.

Food safety is critical to public health. Many food poisoning lawsuits fall under strict liability. This means you don’t have to prove that the manufacturer, restaurant, or grocery store did anything wrong. All your personal injury lawyer must prove is that you ate the food, it was contaminated, and you got sick.

Sometimes, you must prove negligence to recover damages. There are four elements of any negligence claim. These elements include:

• The defendant owed you a duty of care
• They breached this duty
• You suffered an injury
• The other party’s breach directly caused your injuries

With a food poisoning case, you can prove negligence in several ways. You may be able to demonstrate that a sausage manufacturer used a dirty meat grinder. Or, your attorney may have evidence that a grocery store left milk out overnight and then put it back on the shelves.

Food manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, retailers, and preparers are responsible for ensuring the safety of the food they produce and sell. If they fail, they have breached their duty of care and may be negligent.

How Can an Attorney Help With a Food Poisoning Claim?

Food poisoning can cause severe illness and pain. It can also cause you to accrue thousands of dollars in medical bills and other damages.

If you believe a third party, such as a grocery store or restaurant, is responsible for your foodborne illness, contact a personal injury lawyer. You may have a valid claim for damages. Your attorney will review your case and let you know how best to proceed.

FindLaw’s directory of personal injury attorneys can get you started. Select your state or city to review contact and ratings information for local experts. Your search results will also link you to additional details about the attorneys’ experience with food poisoning cases.