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Food Poisoning
Food poisoning agents are very diverse:- Salmonella, Campylobacter, E. coli 0157, various viruses, or toxins and chemicals are just a few that can cause gastrointestinal illnesses. Some of these agents are not spread via food or water but also by person-to-person contact or via contaminated environments, especially viruses. You can download information leaflets on some of the most common causes, or advice on how to avoid food poisoning at the bottom of the page.
The Environmental Health Section becomes aware of most cases of food poisoning that require investigation by laboratory reports from the Health Protection Agency, once a pathogen has been identified in a faeces specimen submitted by an Erewash resident. Most of these specimens arise after a case has visited his or her GP.
What to do if you think you have suffered food poisoning?
The first thing is to consult your GP, to receive the appropriate treatment.
The doctor should also ask you to submit a specimen of your faeces so that the specific organism, which is causing your illness, can be identified. The results will then be reported to the Environmental Health Section.
The Environmental Health Section also investigates complaints direct from members of the public who suspect they have suffered food poisoning.
If you are aware of an outbreak of illness which may be food poisoning, e.g. amongst the guests at a particular function or the residents of a residential home etc. you can contact the Food Safety Team. The sooner an outbreak investigation is started, the better the chances are of establishing the cause.
You can contact the Environmental Health Section on 0115 931 6030
For further information on infectious disease and food poisoning etc. see the following web sites:
For health information and nursing advice contact NHS Direct on www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk (opens in a new window)
Fact Sheets
