Suffering from Food Poisoning and Diarrhoea

This advice has been produced in consultation with the Devon Chief Officers Sub-Group and the Health Protection Agency

If you are suffering from diarrhoea and or vomiting; or are in contact with a sufferer; or work with food; or the young or the elderly; it is important that you read this information.

What causes it?
People suffer from diarrhoea (with or without vomiting) for a number of different reasons. The causes we are concerned about usually are from bacteria (such as salmonella or campylobacter), parasites (such as cryptosporidium or giardia) and viruses (such as Norwalk)

How these germs spread.
The bacteria, parasites and viruses that cause diarrhoea and vomiting may be spread by :-

  • a sufferer to other people through close contact
  • infected food
  • contaminated surfaces
  • the "environment", such as untreated water
  • animals

General advice

1. Personal hygiene
Pay particular attention to your personal hygiene during and after your illness. You can still be carrying the germ for some weeks after your symptoms have finished.

a. Hand washing
Wash and dry hands regularly using soap (preferably a liquid soap) and your own towel. Use the wash hand basin and not the kitchen sink.

b. After using the toilet
i. Wash and dry hands using the wash hand basin, not the kitchen sink
ii. Keep a separate towel that is for your use only
iii. Wipe off the toilet seat, toilet handle, taps, etc., with a bathroom disinfectant
iv. If there is more than one toilet, keep one toilet for use only by the sick person.
v. Soiled linen and underwear, should NOT be washed or rinsed in the kitchen sink. If using a washing machine, use the hot cycle.

2. Preparation of food
If you do not need to handle or prepare food, then you should avoid doing so until 48 hours after you have fully recovered. If you have no choice but to handle or prepare food, then it is essential that you wash and dry your hands using soap and a separate towel before doing so.

3. Contact with other people
Tell anyone nursing you or sharing your home that you are suffering with diarrhoea and tell them about these guidelines.
You should avoid contact with other people until at least 24 hours after you are fully recovered. Affected children should not go to school or nursery, or play with others until at least 24 hours after full recovery.

4. Those with suspected or confirmed food poisoning or food borne diseases
If you have provided a faecal sample, it will be analysed at the Laboratory, and they will contact the Environmental Health Department if you have certain food poisoning infections. Environmental Health staff will often contact people suffering from suspected or confirmed food poisoning or food borne illnesses to :-

  • give advice on how to prevent spreading the infection to others
  • find out where they caught the illness

Giving a sample
If requested, please try to provide a stool sample as soon as possible.
Samples are required to identify the illness correctly and to check whether it is still present. You can feel better but still have the germs which can be passed onto others.

You will be given a plastic pot with a spatula inside.

  • The spatula should be used to scrape up some of the solid matter when you go to the toilet. (This is best achieved by placing a potty or similar item in the toilet. Disinfect the potty carefully after use.)
  • A small amount will be enough, so please do not fill the pot.
  • The spatula and solid matter should be put into the pot and the lid screwed down firmly.
  • Write your name on the side of the pot.
  • Place the pot into the plastic bag.

Please do not supply any urine , vomit or water.
Results will normally be available within five working days.

If your symptoms persist or you get worse, please see your Doctor.

Additional information for people who work with food, the elderly or the young
You should :-

  • notify your employer immediately
  • stay away from work until you have not had any vomiting and or diarrhoea (and are completely back to normal) for 48 hours
  • if you have taken antidiarrhoeal drugs, you should stay away from work for at least 48 hours after you have finished treatment and return only if your diarrhoea has not recurred

Inform your employer before you return to work.

Prevention of food poisoning and food borne diseases

  1. Always wash your hands before eating or preparing food
  2. Always wash your hands thoroughly after going to the toilet and after handling raw foods
  3. Always wash your hands after touching pets and animals, especially if they are ill
  4. Never let raw foods come in contact with cooked foods.
  5. Always ensure that cooked foods are stored above raw foods in your fridge and that the raw foods are in sealed containers.
  6. Work surfaces, utensils and kitchen equipment must be thoroughly washed and disinfected after being used for raw foods.
  7. A range of kitchen surface cleaners that also kill germs are available from most supermarkets
  8. Ensure frozen meat, especially poultry, is thoroughly defrosted before it is cooked, and cook thoroughly
  9. Never use raw eggs in products that are not to be cooked - Avoid eating eggs with runny yolks - this is especially important for the young and the elderly. Store eggs in the ‘fridge aif they are not going to be used within a few days of purchase, and always use by the date on the box.
  10. Once food is cooked, serve immediately or chill rapidly (within one hour) and place within the refrigerator (which should be less than 5oC)

Page last updated on 25 November 2011