What symptom is commonly associated with bacillus cereus gastroenteritis?

Bacillus cereus gastroenteritis is primarily associated with gastrointestinal symptoms that arise from the consumption of contaminated food, particularly those high in starch, such as rice and certain types of pasta. The most characteristic symptom of this condition is watery diarrhea, which occurs as a result of the toxins produced by the bacteria affecting the intestinal lining. The watery nature of the diarrhea is reflective of the type of toxin and its mechanism of causing illness, which tends to induce a more fluid-secreting response in the gut rather than promoting inflammation or significant abdominal pain.

In contrast, symptoms like jaundice are more indicative of liver-related diseases rather than foodborne illnesses caused by bacterial toxins. Fever and chills can occur with various infections, but they are not typical symptoms of bacillus cereus gastroenteritis, which usually does not induce a fever unless there's a severe infection. Severe abdominal pain can suggest other forms of food poisoning or gastric upset but is not a hallmark of bacillus cereus, which tends to lead to milder gastrointestinal distress, primarily manifested as watery diarrhea. Therefore, the symptom commonly associated with bacillus cereus gastroenteritis is indeed watery diarrhea.