Which is a common symptom of food-borne illness?

Gastrointestinal discomfort is a hallmark symptom of food-borne illness and is often experienced due to the body’s response to harmful pathogens or toxins ingested through contaminated food. This discomfort typically includes symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, which are direct indicators that the digestive system is reacting to the offending agent. These symptoms arise as the body attempts to expel the toxins or pathogens and are commonly observed in a range of food-borne illnesses, making gastrointestinal discomfort a central symptom to identify.

Other symptoms like headache, aches, or fever can also occur but are not as distinctive or universally present in cases of food-borne illness. They can be associated with various illnesses, both infectious and non-infectious, making them less specific to food-related conditions compared to the clear gastrointestinal disturbances. Therefore, gastrointestinal discomfort stands out as the most common and defining symptom of food-borne illnesses.