HuffPost spoke with medical experts about why food poisoning cases spike during the summer<\/a> and how to prevent yourself from catching a foodborne illness. <\/p>\n Why Summer Is Prime Time For Food Poisoning<\/p>\n Several factors contribute to the increase in food poisoning cases during the summer months. Unsurprisingly, heat plays a major role.<\/p>\n During the hotter months, emergency room admissions for bacteria-related food illnesses increase, Leslie A. Waid<\/a>, a nurse practitioner at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Hamot Center for Digestive Health, claimed. \u201cWhen the temperatures are high, that can enhance the bacterial growth and the survival of the bacteria,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n E.coli, salmonella and campylobacter<\/a> are well-known bacteria that love warmer weather and tend to proliferate at higher temperatures. Certain foods are extra susceptible to harboring these infectious single-celled organisms, including leafy greens<\/a>, unpasteurized dairy products, undercooked meats and deli products. <\/p>\n The increase in outdoor activities compounds the trouble temperatures cause. When you\u2019re out and about enjoying watersports or a gathering with friends, it becomes much easier to forget about the cooler of food you brought. Moreover, being outdoors for even a small extended period limits the ability to keep food free of germs. <\/p>\n \u201cOutdoor settings also mean less access to soap and water for washing utensils, surfaces and hands, which increases the risk of bacteria spreading, like from raw meat to other foods,\u201d explained family physician Dr. Beth Oller<\/a>. <\/p>\n The Symptoms Of Foodborne Illness And When You Can Expect Them<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve ever experienced a foodborne illness, you\u2019re all too familiar with the havoc these infections wreak on the digestive tract. The most common symptoms of food poisoning<\/a> include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and diarrhea, which may or may not be bloody.<\/p>\n \u201cOther symptoms can include headache, muscle aches and fatigue,\u201d said Oller, adding that these can range from mild to severe.<\/p>\n The onset of food poisoning symptoms<\/a> depends on the source of the foodborne illness. <\/p>\n Casey Carnell<\/a>, a physician assistant at the UPMC Hamot Center for Digestive Health, explained that bacterial and viral pathogens may begin to bring on symptoms within as little as 2-10 hours, but up to 96 hours.<\/p>\n \u201cSomething like a parasitic infection can take up to one to two weeks,\u201d Carnell added.<\/p>\n Once you develop food poisoning, you\u2019ll be in for a rough couple of days. Carnell said when you\u2019re experiencing a lot of diarrhea, keeping to a BRAT diet<\/a> \u2015 bananas, rice, applesauce, toast \u2015 can help calm your GI tract.<\/p>\n For stomach pain and vomiting, Carnell recommended consuming \u201celectrolyte-containing solutions so that your sodium and potassium levels don\u2019t drop.\u201d <\/p>\n Alys Tomlinson via Getty Images<\/p>\n Food borne illness can happen when you leave food at a certain temperature for too long or handle it without proper hygiene. <\/p>\n When You Should See A Doctor<\/p>\n Fortunately, the majority of food poisoning cases resolve on their own. However, some people may need to seek medical care if certain symptoms persist or worsen. <\/p>\n According to Carnell and Oller, serious signs include a high fever, bloody diarrhea or vomit, the inability to tolerate liquids and severe dehydration, which may look like dizziness or confusion. <\/p>\n![\"Food](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/6a15d241140000c92f029643.jpeg\")
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