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Gastrointestinal (GI) Illness
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Gastrointestinal (GI) illness such as vomiting or diarrhea, can be an indicator of a viral, bacterial, or parasitic infection. These can often be caused by eating or drinking contaminated food or beverages, contact with recreational water, contact with infected animals and their environments, or contact with infected people or the surfaces they touch.
Learn more about GI illness and how to report a suspected illness caused by food below.
Gastrointestinal illness (gastroenteritis) is inflammation of the stomach and small and large intestines, and is caused by a variety of disease-causing germs that can be acquired by consuming contaminated food or beverages, or through contact with contaminated recreational water, infected animals or their environments, or infected people or the surfaces they touch.
The main symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea. Other symptoms may include fever, abdominal cramps, nausea, muscle aches, and headache. In general, symptoms begin 1 to 10 days after infection - it is unusual for symptoms to appear less than 24 hours after exposure.
Infections causing gastroenteritis can be viral, bacterial, or parasitic. Norovirus is a common cause of viral gastroenteritis that leads to outbreaks in places like childcares, long term care facilities, restaurants, and cruise ships.
PREVENT
- Wash your hands frequently, especially:
- Before eating or preparing food
- After going to the bathroom or changing a diaper
- Ensure food is stored, cooked, prepared, and served in a hygienic manner
- Rinse all fruits and vegetables before eating
- Do not prepare or serve food for others if you are ill
- Ensure all water is treated before drinking (especially if camping or backpacking)
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
CONTACT YOUR PROVIDER
If you are experiencing moderate to severe symptoms of gastrointestinal illness, please contact your medical provider.
PROTECT
If someone in your home, workplace, or school has had an episode of vomiting or diarrhea:
- Increase cleaning and disinfection of commonly touched surfaces (doorknobs, counters and tabletops, handrails, elevator buttons, etc).
- Clean up spills of vomit or stool quickly using a disinfectant.
- Avoid shaking hands until at least 48 hours after the last episode.
- Wash hands often, using soap and water for 15-20 seconds, or an alcohol-based hand gel if soap and water are unavailable.
If you believe that you have acquired a gastrointestinal illness from a restaurant or commercial food item, please submit a complaint.