I've always heard that if you get food poisoning you'll know it...but can you get just a slight case?

I've been on a long, long stall, so I decided to go back on induction this week. Tuesday I had a piece of steak for lunch. It was the last in a package and the color looked a little "off", but I figured it was just air reacting to the dye (was that stupid???) As soon as I had eaten it I began to feel very, very strange. Sick, weak, red in the face/feverish, stomach pain, nausea. I never vomited, though. (I'm typically resistant to vomiting for some reason.)
Then I developed a horrific headache, which is untouched by tylenol, advil or aspirin. It hasn't let up yet (Thursday) and my stomach is still unstable. I've been eating, but feel crampy afterwards and just generally awful.

Does this sound like a slight case of food poisoning? I'm afraid I'm not going to want any more steak for a long time...and I'm dying for a cracker!

No, when you get food poisoning you will not always know it. Most of the "24 stomach bugs" or "flus" people claim they have are actually food poisoning. People get it much more often than they think.

But in any case, some foods can cause an almost immediate reaction and some can take hours-days to make you sick. It just depends on what bacteria was present and how much.

In any case, it's possible you got food poisoning. Just make sure to drink plenty of fluids and rest your body. You'll feel better soon. If it gets worse or you don't get better, do see a doctor.

Actually, if you are still sick after 24 hours, you SHOULD call your doctor and ask if you need to be seen. Some food poisoning is NOT slight. Some E. Coli bacteria from meat or water can lead to kidney problems. Please get advice from a medical professional who can see you and ask you questions to reach a diagnosis.

I got it from some dip that I ate the other night. I got severe chills and vomited once. It passed quickly. Strange indeed.