Self care
In most cases of food poisoning, you can treat the symptoms at home without needing a doctor.
The most important thing is to make sure you do not become dehydrated because this will make you feel worse and slow your recovery time.
Dehydration is a risk because fluid is lost through vomiting and diarrhoea.
Aim to drink at least two litres (3.5 pints) of water a day, as well as 200ml (one-third of a pint) of water every time you pass a loose stool.
Oral rehydration salts
If you are more vulnerable to the effects of dehydration (for example, if you are elderly or have a pre-existing condition), oral rehydration salts are recommended.
They are available in sachets from pharmacies. You dissolve them in water to drink them and they help to replace salt, glucose and other important minerals that your body loses through dehydration.
If you have a kidney condition, some types of oral rehydration salts may not be suitable for you. Ask your pharmacist or GP for advice about this.
Here are some further ways to cope with your symptoms and speeding up your recovery time:
- Eating smaller, more frequent meals is easier than trying to eat three large meals.
- Stick to easily digested foods, such as toast, crackers, bananas and rice until you begin to feel better.
- Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine and spicy and fatty foods because these will make you feel worse.
- Take plenty of rest. Food poisoning can have a worse effect on your body than most people realise.
Additional treatment
If you are showing signs of dehydration, your GP may recommend that you are admitted to hospital. This is so that you can be given fluids and nutrients intravenously (through a tube placed directly into your vein).
Antibiotics can be used if testing shows that the source of the food poisoning was bacterial and your symptoms are severe or last longer than three to four days.
Oral antibiotics (tablets) are usually used, although you may be given intravenous antibiotics (injections) if your symptoms are severe, or if it is felt that you would have problems keeping tablets down.
