What to do in case of food poisoning?

Food poisoning is an illness caused by eating contaminated food. In most cases, food that causes food poisoning is contaminated by bacteria, such as salmonella or Escherichia coli (E. coli), or a virus, such as the norovirus. The symptoms of food poisoning usually begin 1-3 days after eating contaminated food. They include: feeling sick, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps. ...

In most cases, food poisoning can be treated at home without seeking medical advice. Most of the time, you will recover in a couple of days. The goal is to make you feel better and make sure your body has the proper amount of fluids.

Getting enough fluids and learning what to eat will help keep you or your child comfortable. You may need to:

(1) Manage the diarrhea

(2) Control nausea and vomiting

(3) Get plenty of rest

If you get food poisoning, dehydration is a risk because you will lose fluid through vomiting and diarrhea. You should try to drink as much water as possible, even if you are only able to sip it, particularly after you pass diarrhea.

Oral rehydration salts (ORSs) are recommended for people vulnerable to the effects of dehydration, such as the elderly and those with a pre-existing health condition. ORSs are available in sachets from pharmacies. If you have a kidney condition, some types of oral rehydration salts may not be suitable for you. Ask your pharmacist or doctor for further advice about this. ...