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Learn about food poisoning

Food poisoning is a temporary and usually self-limited illness caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites contained in food. Food poisoning is very common and occurs in about 48 million people every year. Food poisoning is commonly mistaken for stomach flu or gastritis but has specific causes and symptoms that differ from gastritis.

Very young babies, older adults, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems are more at risk of complications caused by food poisoning. Those with weakened immune systems are more at risk to catch foodborne germs.

How to treat food poisoning

Food poisoning typically will run its course. Most of the time, symptoms will go away on their own within a few days, but if symptoms persist or you do not feel well, make an appointment to speak with your doctor. Depending on your situation and symptoms, food poisoning can be treated with oral fluid rehydration, anti-nausea medicines, anti-diarrhea medicines, and time. If your symptoms are severe, you may be advised to seek care in person for IV fluids or antibiotics.

If you are able to eat or drink, try bland foods such as the BRAT diet. The BRAT diet consists of bland food items like bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. Soup broths and tea may also be tolerable, as well as small low-fat meals. An important part of staying hydrated is frequent but small sips of light liquids.

Feeling sick can affect the amount of food you eat and the liquids you drink. The infected person may not even be able to suck on ice chips because of their nausea. If you are having multiple episodes of diarrhea and vomiting, it is important to replace lost fluids and prevent or treat dehydration. Mild dehydration can be managed at home with frequent small sips of clear or light-colored fluids such as water, Pedialyte, soup broth and tea, but severe dehydration can be life-threatening and requires medical treatment.

Antibiotics are rarely used to treat food poisoning, since most cases clear up on their own. In some situations, antibiotics can cause more serious infections by killing off the normal bacteria in our gut and creating an opportunity for dangerous bacteria to take their place. Other dangerous side effects of antibiotics during food poisoning episodes include hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can cause severe kidney disease. However, sometimes antibiotics are necessary to clear an infection before it gets worse, particularly in people over the age of 70, people who are pregnant, or people with chronic heart disease or compromised immune systems. Oftentimes, stool testing is recommended prior to starting antibiotics to make sure the correct antibiotic is chosen. There are some exceptions when antibiotics may be started without stool testing, such as recent exposure to Cholera or recent antibiotic use for other conditions causing suspected Clostridium difficile diarrhea illness. People who are pregnant with symptoms of Listeria may also benefit from early antibiotic treatment.

• Ciprofloxacin

• Metronidazole

• Azithromycin

• Levofloxacin

When to see a doctor for food poisoning

Notify your doctor if you have 6 or more watery stools in 24 hours, have blood in your vomit or in your diarrhea, have a fever higher than 101.3, have severe stomach cramps, or are not able to drink enough liquids to prevent dehydration. These can be signs of a serious illness. In such cases, over-the-counter medications might not be enough to manage your symptoms or prevent dehydration. In some cases, trying to manage severe food poisoning with over-the-counter medication can worsen symptoms; this is especially true if a high fever or blood is present. Eating contaminated food can cause serious foodborne illness and adverse health conditions.