A sickness that people get from something they ate or drank.

Germs or other harmful things called contaminants in foods or drinks cause food poisoning. Food can get tainted anytime it's handled, including at home. Risk factors at home include poor hand-washing, dirty kitchen tools or surfaces, and food left out too long at room temperature.

Common symptoms of food poisoning include upset stomach, vomiting, loose stools that may be bloody, stomach pain and cramps, fever, and headache. Less often, food poisoning affects the nervous system and can cause serious symptoms such as blurred vision and trouble moving limbs.

Treatment for food poisoning depends on how serious the symptoms are and what caused the illness. Most often, the symptoms get better on their own within 48 hours. But some people need medicine to treat food poisoning caused by germs or parasites. Some people may need fluids given through a vein to treat dehydration.