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Advice to Persons who have Food Poisoning symptoms

If you or any of your family group work in the food industry or are engaged in other high risk occupations such as nursing or working with the elderly or very young, you must notify your employer and contact the Food Safety Team immediately on the direct line telephone number at the end of this page.

What you must do

It is particularly important to observe the strictest personal hygiene, not only to prevent the spread of infection to other persons, but also to avoid re-infection of yourself.  In particular, please remember the following rules:

• If you have more than one WC, use a separate WC to those who are not infected.
• After using the toilet, wash your hands immediately and thoroughly with soap (preferably bactericidal soap from your chemist) and hot water.   A separate hand towel should be used by infected persons.  Where the patient is a young child, then it may be necessary for a parent to supervise or assist in the proper washing of hands.
• At regular intervals, clean the WC seat, handle, flush taps and door knobs with disinfectant.
• If you are able to make alternative arrangements, do not prepare food for other people. If you cannot do this, wash your hands thoroughly before preparing or cooking any food or before touching any kitchen utensils and equipment.

Young Children

Young children tend to be less strict in their personal hygiene and may therefore pass on this type of infection more readily.  Babies and toddlers in nappies therefore need special attention.  If possible you should use disposable nappies which, after use, should be disposed of by double bagging (i.e. sealed in one bag and then placed in a second bag).  

If towelling nappies are used then they should be rinsed in the normal way and should be washed using a "boil wash".

Rubber gloves (separate from those used for washing up) should be used to handle soiled nappies/bed linen, etc.

As an added precaution you should, if possible, set aside a separate area just for nappy changing and this should not be an area where food is prepared.  Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly after changing the baby.  Always keep changing mats clean. 

If the investigating officer considers that it is advisable for you to be excluded from working in a high risk operation, you will be advised accordingly.

Further Information

If you would like any further information on food poisoning or any other food safety matter please contact:

The City Help Desk 

Tel: (023) 9283 4253

Email: cityhelpdesk@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

You can also write to us or visit us at the following address:

Portsmouth City Council, Directorate of Environment & Transport, Public Protection Service, Civic Offices, Guildhall Square, Portsmouth, Hants, PO1 2PQ. 

Please note: Queries of a medical nature or regarding treatment should be made directly to your GP