Illness & Symptoms
How long does food poisoning last?
Estimated wait
~3 days
Based on published sources
Timeline guide
- Faster cases~2 days
- Average cases~3 days
- Slower casesUp to 7 days
Diarrhoea lasting more than 3 days (CDC) or 7 days (NHS), vomiting over 2 days, bloody stools, high fever or signs of dehydration mean seek medical care — those are red flags, not the normal course.
Most food poisoning clears up on its own within a few days, and nearly always within about a week — the NHS says symptoms "usually get better within a week." The worst of the vomiting and diarrhoea is often over in the first 1–3 days.
More details
How long it lasts depends heavily on the germ: some bugs (like Staph or C. perfringens) pass in under a day, while others run longer. Onset can also be delayed by hours or occasionally days, so timing from a specific meal is a poor guide.
Sources
Last updated: 4 Jul 2026
Information is for general knowledge only.