Staph aureus gastroenteritis is a common cause of food poisoning when food is left at room temperature (e.g.at picnics)
-Foods rich in sugar (custard, cakes, ice creams), dairy, mayonnaise, potato salads, meats such as ham favor Staph growth and enterotoxin production
-After ingestion, patients develop nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea and rarely fever.
-incubation period is around 6 hours
-Diagnosis is by history or/and by isolating S aureus or enterotoxin from the suspected food, vomitus or stool
-Recovery is rapid usually within 24 hours; hydration if there is dehydration
