Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesFoods Commonly ContaminatedComplicationsTestingSelf-CarePreventionWhen to See a ProviderWhen to Go to the EROther C. Perfringens Conditions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Foods Commonly Contaminated
Complications
Testing
Self-Care
Prevention
When to See a Provider
When to Go to the ER
Other C. Perfringens Conditions
Clostridium perfringens(C. perfringens) is a type of bacteria linked tofood poisoning. It is the most common cause of food poisoning in the United States.Symptoms ofC. perfringensfood poisoning last a day or two and include stomach cramps, watery diarrhea, gas, and bloating.
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C. Perfringens Signs and Symptoms
If you eat food contaminated withC. perfringens, you may start to experience symptoms within six to 24 hours.The illness will begin suddenly and last between 24 and 48 hours.
Symptoms of aC. perfringensgastrointestinal illness can include:
Food poisoning due toC. perfringensdoes not usually cause fever or vomiting.
How Do You Get C. Perfringens–Related Food Poisoning?
C. perfringensfood poisoning results from eating improperly cooked and stored foods.Bacteria are typically found on food after cooking, and if the food sits out for an extended length of time before refrigerating, bacteria can multiply and lead toC. perfringensfood poisoning.
When you eat contaminated food, toxins will be released into thegastrointestinal tract, causing food poisoning symptoms.
Outbreaks ofC. perfringensfood poisoning often occur in settings where food is served to large groups and it’s harder to keep food at proper temperatures.Such settings include hospitals, school cafeterias, correctional facilities, nursing homes, and large events with catered food.
Most outbreaks ofC. perfringensfood poisoning occur in November and December.They are typically linked to popular holiday foods, including turkey and roast beef.
While food poisoning fromC. perfringenscan affect anyone, young children and older adults are at increased risk for severe illness from the bacterium.
When food is kept at unsafe temperatures (between 40 and 140 degrees F),C. perfringenscan grow and multiply.After the bacterium is consumed, it may produce a toxin that causes the host to become sick.
Foods commonly linked toC. perfringensfood poisoning include:
A Verywell Report: These Foods Are the Biggest Culprits of Foodborne Illness
Are There Complications?
The symptoms ofC. perfringensfood poisoning typically resolve within a day or two.However, fatal diseases can occur in older adults andimmunocompromisedpeople (those with a weakened immune system from illnesses or medications).
Complications may include dehydration and sepsis:
Your healthcare provider can diagnose food poisoning based on your symptoms. It typically does not require lab testing or determining the exact organism responsible, although tests can be performed on stool samples or food. If there is a community health outbreak, public health officials may test possible food sources forC. perfringens.
How Do I Take Care of Myself?
Rather than taking over-the-counter (OTC) stomach remedies, wait for the food poisoning to run its course.Rest and consume foods that are easy to tolerate and digest, such as theBRAT diet—bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. Eating small meals with very little fat can help you manage symptoms, stay nourished, and keep food down.
What to Eat After Food Poisoning to Heal Your Gut
How to Prevent Food Poisoning
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
While food poisoning generally does not require medical care, you should still pay attention to more severe symptoms, such as a fever of 100.4 degrees F or higher or bloody diarrhea.You will also want to see a healthcare provider if symptoms do not improve within 48 hours.
People with compromised immune systems, pregnant people, older adults, and people with other risk factors should see a healthcare provider for food poisoning.
Most people can treat food poisoning at home. However, you should seek out emergency care for more severe symptoms.
Severe symptoms of food poisoning that require a visit to an emergency room visit include:
Gas gangreneis a rare bacterial infection that destroys blood cells and soft tissues.C. perfringensbacteria mainly cause it. If you experience a gas gangrene infection, your symptoms may include pain, swelling, and redness in the affected area.
Additional symptoms of gas gangrene include:
If gas gangrene is not treated, it can lead tolow blood pressure, kidney failure, or coma.
Anaerobic cellulitisis a bacterial skin infection. The symptoms of an anaerobic infection may vary based on the location and severity of the infection but may include:
In some cases, an anaerobic infection may not cause symptoms until it becomes severe and spreads to multiple body areas.
Summary
TheClostridium perfringensbacterium is the most common cause of food poisoning. This bacteria is found in the intestines of people and animals and is present in soil and animal and human feces.
This type of food poisoning results from eating improperly cooked or stored food or food that is not at proper temperatures. Commonly infected foods include meats, poultry, seafood, raw vegetables, and gravies.
Symptoms include abdominal cramps and diarrhea. They typically start six to 24 hours after eating contaminated foods and will improve within 24 to 48 hours.
Diarrhea and vomiting can lead to dehydration, so you will need to drink plenty of fluids, including water and oral rehydration solutions like Pedialyte. Contact your healthcare provider for more severe symptoms or if symptoms do not improve after 48 hours. Go to an emergency room if you experience severe abdominal pain or dehydration, bloody diarrhea or vomit, or a high fever.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About C. perfringens food poisoning.Grenda T, Jarosz A, Sapała M, Grenda A, Patyra E, Kwiatek K.Clostridium perfringens-opportunistic foodborne pathogen, its diversity and epidemiological significance.Pathogens. 2023;12(6):768. doi:10.3390/pathogens12060768FoodSafety.gov.Prevent Illness from C. perfringens.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diagnosing C. perfringens food poisoning.Piedmont Healthcare.Here are the best ways to treat food poisoning.FoodSafety.gov.4 steps to food safety.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Food poisoning.Penn Medicine.Gas gangrene.Wells CL, Wilkins TD.Clostridia: sporeforming anaerobic bacilli. In: Baron S, editor. Medical Microbiology. 4th edition.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About C. perfringens food poisoning.Grenda T, Jarosz A, Sapała M, Grenda A, Patyra E, Kwiatek K.Clostridium perfringens-opportunistic foodborne pathogen, its diversity and epidemiological significance.Pathogens. 2023;12(6):768. doi:10.3390/pathogens12060768FoodSafety.gov.Prevent Illness from C. perfringens.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diagnosing C. perfringens food poisoning.Piedmont Healthcare.Here are the best ways to treat food poisoning.FoodSafety.gov.4 steps to food safety.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Food poisoning.Penn Medicine.Gas gangrene.Wells CL, Wilkins TD.Clostridia: sporeforming anaerobic bacilli. In: Baron S, editor. Medical Microbiology. 4th edition.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About C. perfringens food poisoning.Grenda T, Jarosz A, Sapała M, Grenda A, Patyra E, Kwiatek K.Clostridium perfringens-opportunistic foodborne pathogen, its diversity and epidemiological significance.Pathogens. 2023;12(6):768. doi:10.3390/pathogens12060768FoodSafety.gov.Prevent Illness from C. perfringens.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diagnosing C. perfringens food poisoning.Piedmont Healthcare.Here are the best ways to treat food poisoning.FoodSafety.gov.4 steps to food safety.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Food poisoning.Penn Medicine.Gas gangrene.Wells CL, Wilkins TD.Clostridia: sporeforming anaerobic bacilli. In: Baron S, editor. Medical Microbiology. 4th edition.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About C. perfringens food poisoning.
Grenda T, Jarosz A, Sapała M, Grenda A, Patyra E, Kwiatek K.Clostridium perfringens-opportunistic foodborne pathogen, its diversity and epidemiological significance.Pathogens. 2023;12(6):768. doi:10.3390/pathogens12060768
FoodSafety.gov.Prevent Illness from C. perfringens.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diagnosing C. perfringens food poisoning.
Piedmont Healthcare.Here are the best ways to treat food poisoning.
FoodSafety.gov.4 steps to food safety.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Food poisoning.
Penn Medicine.Gas gangrene.
Wells CL, Wilkins TD.Clostridia: sporeforming anaerobic bacilli. In: Baron S, editor. Medical Microbiology. 4th edition.
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