What to do if you think you got sick

Practical, non-alarmist steps. These are general suggestions, not medical or legal advice.

1. 1

   Look after your health first

   Rest and stay hydrated. If you have any emergency warning signs (high fever, bloody stool, dehydration, inability to keep fluids down), contact a doctor or call 911 right away.

2. 2

   Note what and when you ate

   Write down what you ate in the 1-3 days before symptoms started, where you bought or ate it, and when symptoms began. Memory fades fast when you are unwell.

3. 3

   Keep any evidence

   If you still have leftover product, packaging, or receipts, keep them. Seal leftover food in a bag labeled "do not eat" and refrigerate it. This can help health investigators.

4. 4

   Ask about testing

   If your illness is severe, your doctor may order a stool test to identify the specific pathogen. This is the only way to confirm what made you sick.

5. 5

   Report to public health

   You can report a suspected foodborne illness to your local or state health department. Reports help authorities detect and stop outbreaks.

6. 6

   Check official recalls

   See whether the product you consumed appears in an official FDA or USDA recall notice.