What are some common symptoms of food illness in humans?

Symptoms of food-borne illnesses include vomiting, fever, chills, diarrhea and abdominal pain. However, the symptoms vary in severity depending on the source of the illness. For example, certain food-borne illnesses cause neurological symptoms, including weakness and paralysis, warns the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

In some cases, food-borne illnesses cause dehydration or more severe symptoms, such as hemolytic uremic syndrome, arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome or Guillan-Barre syndrome. Food-borne illnesses are usually contracted after a person ingests a certain bacteria, virus or parasite. However, food-borne illnesses are also caused by certain chemicals, such as pesticides, notes the NIDDK.