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Do I report food poisoning?

(11 Posts)
PenTur Sat 03-Nov-18 21:31:04

I have just spent a week in hospital recovering from campylobacter, a nasty bacterial infection which is mainly transmitted via uncooked chicken. It all started four weeks ago with six days of diarrhoea followed by a week of violent pains. Once tests revealed the cause, I was put on IV antibiotics and had a tube up my nose and into my stomach. I am gradually feeling better, but have lost a stone in weight and am having to follow a “soft” diet for a few weeks. The who episode has been traumatic, I even missed spending quality time with my daughter who was visiting from Australia as I was stuck between bed and bathroom. We ate out two days before the bug hit me, but I cannot prove that the pub was the source of the infection. I was interested to see that they were only awarded three stars from a recent hygiene inspection, so I am suspicious that standards are not as they should be. The infection was reported by the hospital to Public Health England, but nothing else seems to have been done. Should I just put this down to experience, or name the pub on the Foid Standards Agency website?

MawBroon Sat 03-Nov-18 21:38:59

It is a notifiable infection and you say this has been done. It is up to the relevant agencies to investigate the standard of hygiene in this establishment.
Not you
I would beware of putting anything on any website without incontrovertible proof.
I hope you are feeling much better now with no further ill effects.

Luckygirl Sat 03-Nov-18 21:41:56

The hospital have reported this to Public Health England, so you could follow it up with information about where and what you had eaten. I am not sure you should expose the pub on a website if you are not certain that this was the source - provide the information directly and let them investigate.

I am so sorry that you have been so unwell; and that it spoilt your DD's visit. I hope you will be better again soon.

BlueBelle Sat 03-Nov-18 21:43:37

You can’t name the pub as you have no proof whatsoever and that could be paramount to shutting them down and finding yourself in court Rumours travel fast

mumofmadboys Sat 03-Nov-18 21:50:41

If symptoms started two days after eating out it is unlikely to be related to that meal.

Nanabilly Sat 03-Nov-18 22:21:55

I had compylobactor years ago and it showed up 48 hours after eating the "bad" meal so it could be. The authorities did all of whatever they had to do and a couple of weeks after falling I'll the restaurant closed down never to reopen. I was so I'll for 10 weeks and lost 3 stone in weight I looked dreadful.
The pains are just like contractions when giving birth and the smell is awful.
Took me months to feel back to normal
I hope you are well very soon

luluaugust Sat 03-Nov-18 22:30:28

I also had it years ago, went to GP and had spec tested, I was then phoned by the Local Authority. I suggested where I might have picked it up and was told this would be looked into. Never heard anymore. Took some getting over.

PenTur Sat 03-Nov-18 23:05:39

Thanks for all the advice everyone, very helpful. I know where this came from, but I have no proof so will take it no further. Will just concentrate on recovery, I know it will be a long haul.

silverlining48 Sat 10-Nov-18 11:16:40

When my dh had the same thing some years ago he was asked where he had eaten, he named the pub where he had eaten 2 days previously, and assume they followed this up. He lost 3 stones and was ill fir many months. It is a dreadful thing to have to go through.

Nannarose Sat 10-Nov-18 12:53:22

I do hope you are feeling better. This is very nasty.
Public Health will follow this up, so you don't need to do any more.

I would say that I am fanatical about 'scores on the doors'. I will normally only eat anywhere with 5 stars - I make an occasional exception for a 4 star if I know the reason (an old building may have difficulty making the spec).
With the help and information available, there is really no excuse for less than 4 stars. Did you know the score when you visited, or have you just looked it up?
If the score isn't on the door, then I ask them. If we're out with friends, they are fortunately amused rather than irritated.

Jane10 Sat 10-Nov-18 19:55:51

I had Campylobacter once. It was awful. When I was recovering I was visited by a person from the public health department and had to list everywhere I'd been eating as well as what food I'd bought and where it came from.