Health Tip: If You Get Food Poisoning

If you get food poisoning -- especially during pregnancy -- it's important to let your doctor know promptly.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration offers this advice:

• Know the symptoms of food-borne illness, which may mimic the flu, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and fever.
• Contact your doctor immediately if you have symptoms. Follow any treatment plan recommended by your doctor.
• Wrap up the suspected food, label it "danger" and freeze it so it can be examined.
• Save cans, cartons or any other packaging from the food, even if it's identical to the food that made you sick. Write down a list of all recent foods you've eaten.
• Contact the U.S. Department of Agriculture if you believe you ate contaminated meat, poultry or eggs. Contact your local health department if you believe you ate contaminated food at a local restaurant.