Food poisoning is very common, as you have noted. In fact, every year about one in six people will get sick from eating contaminated food. Most people will fully recover without treatment; however, for some it can be deadly.

Food can be contaminated with bacteria, viruses, parasites, allergens, molds or toxins. The organisms that cause most of the problems in the United States are: Salmonella, Norovirus, Campylobacter, Toxoplasma, E. coli, Listeria and Clostridium perfringens.

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever are some of the more common symptoms of food poisoning. The amount and the type of contaminant ingested will determine the severity of the symptoms. Typically, foodborne illnesses will only last about 24 to 48 hours.

A mild case of food poisoning can usually be treated at home. If you have diarrhea or vomiting, this can lead to dehydration. It is important to replace the fluids and electrolytes that are lost by drinking an oral rehydration solution such as Pedialyte. Sports drinks often contain too much sugar, which may worsen diarrhea, so they should be diluted with water. Some over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications, such as Pepto-Bismol or Imodium, can be used in simple cases of diarrhea; however, they may actually slow the elimination of bacteria or toxins from your system and could make your condition worse.

In general, the best approach is to remain hydrated and get plenty of rest.

For more severe cases of food poisoning, you should contact your health-care provider if you have any of the following:

• Blood or pus in your stools.

• Stomach pain or sharp cramping that does not go away after a bowel movement.

• Prolonged vomiting that prevents keeping liquids down.

• Decreased urination, a dry mouth and throat or feeling dizzy when standing up, as these are all signs of dehydration.

• Symptoms that start after traveling to a foreign country.

• Diarrhea with a fever above 101 degrees F. (100.4 degrees in children).

• Diarrhea that gets worse or does not get better in two days.

If you think that you might have food poisoning, you should also contact your local health department and report what you ate. This may help prevent other people from getting sick.

There are a few ways to minimize the risk of foodborne illnesses, including:

1. Cooking meat, poultry and eggs completely.

2. Avoiding cross-contamination of foods by washing hands, utensils and cutting boards after they come in contact with raw meat or poultry.

3. Refrigerating leftovers promptly because bacteria grow quickly at warmer temperatures.

4. Washing fresh fruits and vegetables.