Tokyo Food Safety Information Center » Tokyo Metropolitan Government food safety FAQ » Why do some people get food poisoning and others don’t, even when they eat the same thing?
Why do some people get food poisoning and others don’t, even when they eat the same thing?
Why do some people get food poisoning and others don’t, even when they eat the same thing?
The reason why some people who ate the same food get sick while others don’t is due to the health of the people involved as well as the amount of food poisoning-inducing bacteria each person ingested. The most common symptoms of food poisoning are nausea and diarrhea. If you suspect you have the symptoms of food poisoning, it is recommended that you seek diagnosis from a medical institution.
The symptoms of food poisoning depend on the bacteria or other source causing it, but the most common symptoms are nausea and diarrhea. Not everyone will necessarily get food poisoning even if they eat the same thing. In healthy individuals, stomach acid kills food poisoning-inducing bacteria, while lactic acid bacteria in the intestines create an environment that prevents bacteria which cause food poisoning from multiplying.
However, persons with relatively weaker immune systems (lower resistance to disease) such as children and senior citizens as well as adults with weakened immune systems due to health reasons can get food poisoning more easily. In addition, the time at which food poisoning emerges as well as the strength of symptoms can vary depending on the amount of food poisoning-inducing bacteria ingested.
Bacteria which cause food poisoning may be detected in the stool of a person even if they show no symptoms (known as a “healthy carrier”). Such healthy carriers can unknowingly contaminate food with bacteria that cause food poisoning like the highly infectious Enterohemorrhagic E. coli and Norovirus, spreading them to others and causing an outbreak of food poisoning.
If your family gets food poisoning and you don’t have any symptoms, you may be a healthy carrier. Just as if you were sick, be sure to take care not to spread disease, such as washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water after going to the bathroom.