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Lower Gastrointestinal Tract Symptoms (Abdominal
Cramps, Diarrhea) Occur First
Or Predominate |
back to
Diseases of Foodborne Origin index page |
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Bacterial Agents |
|
Incubation |
Duration |
Symptoms |
Etiologic Agent |
Common Vehicles |
|
6-16 hrs |
2-24 hrs |
Diarrhea, abdominal cramps,
nausea, occasionally vomiting |
Bacillus cereus (diarrheal
toxin) |
Gravies, sauces, puddings, meats, soups, cereal |
|
12 hrs
(range: 8-20 hrs) |
4-36 hrs |
Abdominal cramps, diarrhea, vomiting is rare, no
fever |
Clostridium perfringens |
Soups, sauces, gravies, beef roast, poultry |
|
12 hrs
(range: 2-48 hrs) |
1-7 days |
Abdominal cramps, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting,
fever, headache |
Vibrio parahaemolyticus |
Oysters, clams, mussels, crab, fish, other
seafood |
|
16-48 hrs
(range: 10-72 hrs) |
3-7 days |
Diarrhea, abdominal cramping |
Escherichia coli
Enterotoxigenic (ETEC) |
Uncooked vegetables, salads, water |
|
16-48 hrs |
3-7 days |
Abdominal cramping |
Escherichia coli
Enteroinvasive (EIEC) |
Uncooked vegetables, salads, water |
|
16-72 hrs |
2-12 days
(mean: 6 days) |
Watery diarrhea, vomiting |
Vibrio cholerae
non-O1 |
Shellfish, pickled herring |
|
18-36 hrs
(range: 6-84 hrs) |
2-7 days |
Abdominal pain, diarrhea, chills, fever
(101-104°F), vomiting |
Salmonella species |
Poultry, raw eggs, raw milk products, meats, meat
products, fruit, sprouts, potato salad |
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Incubation |
Duration |
Symptoms |
Etiologic Agent |
Common Vehicles |
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48 hrs
(range: 24-72 hrs) |
2-7 days |
Abdominal pain, diarrhea
(bloody or mucoid), fever (101-104°F), some vomiting |
Shigella |
Salads, uncooked foods, water |
|
24-72 hrs |
Varies |
Profuse watery diarrhea,
vomiting, abdominal pain, thirst, collapse |
Vibrio cholerae O1
(cholera) |
Raw shellfish or fish, contaminated seawater |
|
3 days
(range: 1-12 days) |
5-10 days |
Nonbloody diarrhea progressing to bloody
diarrhea, abdominal cramping, transient fever, vomiting,
lethargy; possibly kidney failure |
Escherichia coli
O157:H7 and other shigatoxin producing E.
coli (STEC) |
Raw/undercooked hamburger, water, unpasteurized
fruit juice, salami, lettuce, vegetables |
|
3-5 days
(range: 1-10 days) |
1-4 days
(range: 1-14 days) |
Fever, diarrhea (mucous or bloody) |
Campylobacter jejuni |
Raw milk, water, poultry, beef liver, raw clams |
|
3-7 days |
1-2 weeks |
Diarrhea, fever, headache, mimics flu and acute
appendicitis |
Yersinia enterocolitica |
Pork, raw milk, water, other meats |
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Viral Agents |
|
Incubation |
Duration |
Symptoms |
Etiologic Agent |
Common Vehicles |
|
30-38 hrs
(range: 10-54 hrs) |
1-4 days |
Nausea, vomiting (children),
abdominal cramps, diarrhea (adults), low grade fever, chills,
malaise, body aches |
Noroviruses |
Shellfish, water, frosting, foods handled raw or
after cooking, salad |
|
1-3 days |
4-8 days |
Vomiting, watery diarrhea,
low-grade fever, temporary lactose intolerance |
Rotavirus |
Ready-to-eat foods such as salads and fresh fruit |
|
3-5 days |
2-9 days |
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps,
headache, fever |
Other viral agents (astroviruses, adenoviruses,
calciviruses) |
Ready-to-eat foods such as salads and fresh fruit |
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|
Parasites |
|
Incubation |
Duration |
Symptoms |
Etiologic Agent |
Common Vehicles |
|
1-6 weeks
(mean: 10 days) |
1-4 weeks |
Malodorous diarrhea,
bloating, fatigue, weight loss, abdominal cramping |
Giardia lamblia |
Water, ready-to-eat foods |
|
1-11 days |
Weeks to months |
Watery diarrhea, nausea,
anorexia, abdominal cramping, fatigue, weight loss, fever is
rare |
Cyclospora |
Water, lettuce, basil, raspberries |
|
1-12 days
(mean: 7 days) |
Days to weeks |
Anorexia, watery diarrhea, vomiting in children |
Cryptosporidium parvum |
Water, unpasteurized apple cider |
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