I have had 3 cases of food poisoning this year. I don't think I have
been that un-hygienic, plus my flatmates eat (almost) the same as I do
but they do not seem to get it.

Are there any tips which can reduce or prevent cases of food poisoning? 

I'm not really after the obvious like wash your hands before eating,
but more things that can strength my immune system or "toughen up my
stomach".

You are obviously more susceptible to food poisoning than your
"garbage-guts" mates! I'd suggest that although you are not really
after the obvious, you really need to pay attention to the obvious. 
Don't underestimate the value of washing your hands (and getting your
mates to wash their hands before they handle the same food you're
eating) and, just as importantly, storing food properly.

http://www.biotechlab.com.au/poison.htm 

This site also has some interesting info.
http://www.arrowscientific.com.au/new/mainarticle2.phtml?articleid=1b3e5e82a0

And as regards toughening your poor old digestive system, I know
several older people who used to swear that ginger beer (the sort with
real ginger) used to be good for their stomachs. Plus, if anyone got a
dose of diahorrea, they were always given a spoonful of real,
homemade, seedless raspberry jam. It seemed to help -- don't know why.

Is it possible that you are eating leftovers from the fridge that the others aren't?

Darned!  Forgot to mention appreciation for Stressedmum's suggestion
of ginger beer.  Don't know where you can get it, but if it works, it
was what helped me in India 36 years ago  - though I didn't know till
now.  Now I have a cast-iron tummy and can drink the tap water in
Central Asia.

Thanks a lot for your comments.

I think the culprit of the recent case of poisoning was indeed
leftovers (which only I ate). But the suggestion of improving food
preparation hygiene around the flat will be noted. We're all students
and hygiene is something we overlook at times!

The ginger beer idea sounds it's worth a shot, there's a great tasting
brand down here in Australasia called 'Bundaberg'. I also wonder if
increasing ginger use in cooking would also be a help.

Good for you! Bundaberg Ginger Beer is a really good choice. Any of
those "brown bottle" brands that list ginger as an ingredient are also
good. Stones even make an alcoholic version!!!

And just to give you more food for thought, (and to prove that the
ginger thing isn't just an 'old stressedmum's tale' -- or an 'old
myoarin's tale'), here's some rather respectable looking info from
this site:
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/Gingerch.html


Good health!

Are you sure it was a ood poisoning? Who diagnosed you and how? I am
asking, because I has problems, which I thought were food poisoning.
At the fourth time, my appendix almost blew and I was lucky to be
working where there were many clinics, correctly diagnosed, and rushed
to the hospital.

Can you describe your symptoms and what happened a bit more? What
condition/illness did you have in the end? You have me worried!

Here's my story, I have had "food poisoning" 3 times this year. Am
currently just over my 3rd time. First time I landed in hospital with
fever and major dehydration. I did not give a stool sample so the
exact bacteria was not found but the symptoms (from blood test) showed
signs of food poisoning from bacteria (gas something found in rice).

2nd time had complete different symptons than 1st. Just felt very weak
and diahorrea for 2-3 days. Did not see any doctor, just got over it.
Self-diagnoised to be food poisoning.

3rd time, I just got over a day or so ago lasted quite long. Had 7
days of diahorrea. Went to hospital on 4th day, again was dehydrated
and blood & urine tests did not show anything. Went home feeling ok.
Was just told to keep hydrated.

Went to see another doctor on the 5th day and he said it showed
symptoms of a bacteria from unproperly cooked meat/sausage (started
with P). He asked me to give a stool sample. That was yesterday
afternoon.

This morning, I finally produced solid stool (the diahorrea had gone)
and so I took a stool sample from that and got it to the labs. I'm not
sure whether they will find traces of bacteria since the diahorrea has
gone? I will have to wait a few days before I find out.

But if this test comes up with nothing, then no actual bacteria would
have been  detected in all 3 times of "food poisoning" this year. Now
you are starting to have me really worried!

a shot of apple cider vinegar and cayenne pepper at the first sign of
distress would help considerably but taken daily as a supplement would
end food poisoning.