For 12 days we'll be sharing the #12MishapsOfChristmas with you.
Day 1 - Food poisoning from your under-cooked turkey?
The symptoms of food poisoning usually begin within one to two days after eating contaminated food, although they may start at any point between a few hours and several weeks later.
The main symptoms include:
Feeling sick (nausea)
Vomiting
Diarrhoea, which may contain blood or mucus
Stomach cramps and abdominal (tummy) pain
A lack of energy and weakness
Loss of appetite
A high temperature (fever)
Aching muscles
Chills
In most cases, these symptoms will pass in a few days and you will make a full recovery.
What to do
Most people with food poisoning recover at home and don't need any specific treatment, although there are some situations where you should see your GP for advice.
Until you feel better, you should rest and drink fluids to prevent dehydration. Try to drink plenty of water, even if you can only sip it. Eat when you feel up to it, but try small, light meals at first and stick to bland foods – such as toast, crackers, bananas and rice – until you begin to feel better. Oral rehydration solutions (ORS), which are available from pharmacies, are recommended for more vulnerable people, such as the elderly and those with another health condition.
When to see your GP
You should contact your GP if:
Your symptoms are severe – for example, if you're unable to keep down any fluids because, You are vomiting repeatedly.
Your symptoms don't start to improve after a few days.
You have symptoms of severe dehydration, such as confusion, a rapid heartbeat, sunken eyes and passing little or no urine.
You're pregnant.
You're over 60.
Your baby or young child has suspected food poisoning.
You have a long-term underlying condition, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), heart valve disease, diabetes or kidney disease.
You have a weak immune system – for example, because of medication, cancer treatment or HIV.
In these situations, your GP may send off a stool sample for analysis and prescribe antibiotics, or they may refer you to hospital so you can be looked after more closely.
*This information was sourced form NHS Choices*