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Basics about Bacillus cereus

Diarrheal: &nbsp;Contaminated meats, milk, vegetables, and fish
Emetic (vomiting): &nbsp;Rice, potatoes, pasta, and cheese products, as well as food mixtures (sauces, puddings, soups, casseroles, pastries, and salads

05/01/2011 13:18:00 admin

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Bacillus cereus or B. cereus is a type of bacteria that produces toxins. These toxins can cause two types of illness: one type characterized by diarrhea and the other, called emetic, by nausea and vomiting.

Sources	Diarrheal: Contaminated meats, milk, vegetables, and fish Emetic (vomiting): Rice, potatoes, pasta, and cheese products, as well as food mixtures (sauces, puddings, soups, casseroles, pastries, and salads
Incubation Period	Diarrheal: 6-15 hours Emetic (vomiting): 30 minutes to 6 hours
Symptoms	Diarrheal: Watery diarrhea and abdominal cramps Emetic (vomiting): Nausea and vomiting
Duration of Illness	24 hours
What Do I Do?	Drink plenty of fluids and get rest. If you cannot drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration, call your doctor.

General Information

Bacillus cereus and Other Bacillus (FDA)
From the Bad Bug Book; provides basic facts, including associated foods, frequency of disease, complications, and target populations.