It Is Now Past the Normal Dinner Time, but You

Multiple Choice

It is now past the normal dinner time, but you do not even want to think about food. Only diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting are on your mind. This all started a few hours ago after having a ham sandwich for lunch purchased from a street vendor. With your microbiology knowledge, you surmise that it is a Staphylococcus aureus-related disorder. Why do you think this?

A) Staphylococcus aureus is the most common cause of gastrointestinal disease.
B) Ham is notorious for being contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.
C) Only Staphylococcus aureus infection causes vomiting, along with cramps and diarrhea.
D) The toxin produced by Staphylococcus aureus was already in the ham, so the symptoms can occur quickly.