food poisoning (viral)
Last reviewed 01/2018
More than 90% of cases of viral food poisoning are caused by the small round viruses, for example parvoviruses, as well as calicivirus.
Examples include:
- hepatitis A from shellfish, e.g. Irish mussels
- small round viruses from cockles
Generally there is an incubation of about 36 hours after which there is a rapid onset of vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal cramps, although the first two features are absent in 50% and 25% respectively. Illness lasts for one or two days, after which there is a rapid recovery.