Having diarrhea for more than 24 hours could mean food poisoning

If you are unfortunate enough to get diarrhea that lasts more than a day, you might want to consider that it might be food poisoning. 

Each year, almost one-fourth of Americans deal with a food-borne illness. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, a very small number of cases are attributed to well-known outbreaks such as the recent salmonella-peanut scare.

More than 250 food-related types of illnesses, including viruses, bacteria and parasites, have been counted by scientists. Norwalk-like viruses, known for making cruise-ship passengers sick, are the most common. According to the CDC, almost two-thirds of know food poisoning can be blamed on them.

The next most common are two types of bacteria, campylobacter and salmonella. About 14 percent of food poisonings occur from campylobacter bacteria and around 10 percent point toward salmonella.

A decade ago, a group of CDC scientists came up with the best estimate of how many Americans come down with food poisoning each year: 76 million cases that ended in 325,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths.

There are no recent numbers available, but the numbers are projected to be close to 87 million cases, 371,000 hospitalizations and 5,700 deaths. These figures are from the Associated Press calculation which used the CDC formula and current population estimates.

More than 640 illnesses in 44 states and nine deaths have been caused by the recent peanut-related salmonella outbreak. The source of the outbreak was found at a Virginia-based company that makes minor -label peanut butter, peanut paste and other products.

These numbers are no where near the actual amount of cases. A confirmation on a case occurs only after a lab test is sent to the CDC. So many people just suffer through it without even going to a doctor.

Health officials believe that for every salmonella case, there are about 36 unreported cases.

Some symptoms of food poisoning are extreme diarrhea that lasts a day or more, possible nausea, vomiting or stomach cramps. If you get these symptoms, do not get dehydrated. Drinks such as CeraLyte, Pedialyte or Oralyte may help. Sports drinks like Gatorade are not enough to help. Diarrhea medicine such as Pepto-Bismol can also help.

See a doctor if you experience any of these symptoms: temperature of 101.5 degrees or higher, blood in your stool, continuous vomiting, dizziness, decreased urination or other dehydration signs, or diarrhea that lasts for more than three days.