Poisoning and infectious diseases

Food poisoning

f you think you have suffered from food poisoning you should contact your GP as soon as possible.

Symptoms of food poisoning may include one or more of these:

  • Sickness   
  • Diarrhoea - stomach pains    

  • Fever - feeling hot/cold    

  • Headaches

Children under five years, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with reduced immunity are more likely to suffer severe symptoms.

If you are suffering from diarrhoea your GP may ask you for a stool specimen to try and find out what type of food poisoning you may have.

Your GP will then notify the local authority and you may get a telephone call from the Food, Health & Safety team. We will ask you details about your illness and about recent food that you may eaten.

If you have any food leftovers which may have made you ill, you should put them in a clean, sealed container and keep them in the fridge, separate from other food. The Food, Health & Safety team may arrange for this food to be tested for bugs which cause food poisoning.

If you think a food business is involved, we will ask for details and may carry out an inspection.

If you have suffered food poisoning you should not go to work whilst you are ill. You can normally return to work 48 hours after you have recovered.

If you are a food handler, nurse, work with young children or the elderly, you should inform your employer of your illness immediately. Ask us for advice if you are unsure.