How Long Does Food Poisoning Last?

Quick Answer

Most cases of food poisoning resolve within 1–3 days. Symptoms typically begin 6–24 hours after consuming contaminated food, though some bacteria can take days to cause illness. Viral food poisoning (norovirus) usually clears in 1–3 days, while bacterial infections (Salmonella, E. coli) may last 5–7 days.

Duration by Cause

Cause	Onset	Duration
Staphylococcus aureus	30 min–6 hrs	1–2 days
Norovirus	12–48 hrs	1–3 days
Clostridium perfringens	6–24 hrs	1 day
Salmonella	6–72 hrs	4–7 days
E. coli	1–10 days	5–7 days
Campylobacter	2–5 days	2–10 days
Listeria	1–4 weeks	1–3 days (can be severe)
Botulism	12–36 hrs	Weeks (medical emergency)

Symptom Timeline

Typical Mild Case

• Hours 0–6: Nausea, stomach cramps begin
• Hours 6–24: Vomiting and/or diarrhea, worst symptoms
• Day 1–2: Symptoms peak then begin improving
• Day 2–3: Most symptoms resolved, appetite returning
• Day 3–5: Full recovery, possible lingering fatigue

More Severe Case (Salmonella, E. coli)

• Day 1–2: Onset of watery diarrhea, fever, severe cramps
• Day 3–5: Symptoms persist, possibly bloody diarrhea
• Day 5–7: Gradual improvement
• Week 2: Full recovery for most

Common Symptoms

• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea (watery or bloody)
• Abdominal cramps and pain
• Fever
• Headache
• Body aches
• Loss of appetite
• Dehydration (from fluid loss)

How to Recover Faster

• Stay hydrated — this is the #1 priority. Drink water, clear broth, or oral rehydration solutions (ORS). Diarrhea and vomiting cause rapid fluid loss.
• Start with bland foods — the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) is gentle on the stomach
• Rest — your body needs energy to fight the infection
• Avoid dairy, caffeine, alcohol, and fatty foods until fully recovered
• Let vomiting run its course — it's your body's way of expelling the toxin
• Take small sips rather than gulping fluids if nauseous

When to See a Doctor

Seek medical care if:

• Symptoms last more than 3 days
• Bloody diarrhea or stool
• Fever above 102°F (38.9°C)
• Signs of severe dehydration (dark urine, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, dry mouth)
• Inability to keep any fluids down for 12+ hours
• Pregnant, elderly, young child, or immunocompromised
• Suspected botulism (blurred vision, muscle weakness, difficulty swallowing)

High-Risk Foods

• Raw or undercooked meat and poultry
• Raw eggs and foods containing them
• Unpasteurized milk and cheese
• Raw shellfish and oysters
• Pre-washed salad greens and sprouts
• Deli meats and hot dogs (Listeria risk)
• Rice left at room temperature (Bacillus cereus)

Prevention

• Cook meat to proper internal temperatures
• Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours (1 hour if above 90°F)
• Wash hands before preparing food
• Don't cross-contaminate — use separate cutting boards for raw meat
• When in doubt, throw it out