Food Poisoning Treatment Overview
Care Plan
First steps to consider
- Mild or early symptoms of food poisoning can be treated at home and will usually get better in a few days.
- Drink plenty of fluids, eat a bland diet (crackers, toast, oatmeal, rice), and use heat packs for stomach cramps
When you may need a provider
- Your symptoms last longer than 3 days.
- You have symptoms of dehydration, like dark urine, being thirsty.
- Your symptoms are severe.
- Young children, older adults, pregnant people, or people with weak immune systems should call a doctor.
Emergency Care
Go to the ER if you have any of the following symptoms:
- You are unable to eat or drink anything
- You feel dizzy or faint
- You feel very dehydrated (very thirsty with decreased urination and fatigue)
- Blood in the stool or vomit
- Severe abdominal pain
- Blurry vision or numbness
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Treat
When to see a healthcare provider
If your symptoms are not improving after 2–3 days or you feel like you cannot drink enough fluids, see a healthcare provider.
Children, pregnant women, or immunocompromised people should call a healthcare provider.
Getting diagnosed
Your provider may order stool tests to diagnose a bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection. If your provider thinks you may be dehydrated, they may order blood tests to check your electrolytes. If you have persistent symptoms that last for weeks, you may need testing by your doctor for other conditions that can cause chronic nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
What to expect from your visit
- Your healthcare provider will check you for dehydration.
- If the stool tests are positive for a bacteria, like Campylobacter, E. Coli, Listeria, or Salmonella, your doctor may treat you with a course of antibiotics.
- Your doctor may also prescribe anti-nausea or anti-diarrheal medications that are more effective than OTC versions.
- If you have severe dehydration or bloody stools, fever, severe abdominal pain, or weakness, you may be referred to the emergency room, where treatment could include IV (intravenous) fluids and medications.
Prescription medications for food poisoning
- Ondansetron (Zofran)
- Metoclopramide (Reglan)
- Loperamide (Imodium)
- Diphenoxylate / Atropine (Lomotil)
- Azithromycin (Z-pack)
- Ciprofloxacin
Types of providers
- A primary care provider can treat mild to moderate symptoms.
- A gastroenterologist is a doctor who specializes in digestive illness, and may be needed if your food poisoning is not going away or you may have other chronic conditions.
How to treat food poisoning at home
Food poisoning can often be treated at home and usually gets better within a few days. Your treatment should focus on reducing your symptoms, which may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain. There are OTC medications you can take for these symptoms.
It’s also important to drink plenty of fluids since vomiting and diarrhea can cause you to lose a lot of fluid and lead to dehydration.
Making a few changes to your diet can reduce the irritation in your stomach and intestines.
If you have a fever or bloody diarrhea, speak to your doctor first before using OTC medications.
OTC medications
- Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-bismol or Kaopectate) for a range of stomach symptoms
- Loperamide (Imodium) for diarrhea
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol) for abdominal pain
- Pedialyte, Gatorade, Liquid IV, for dehydration
Tips for treating food poisoning
- Drink plenty of fluids. It is important to only drink small amounts of fluid at a time, but drink frequently throughout the day. Good options besides water are Gatorade, Pedialyte, or water with electrolyte tablets.
- Eat small amounts of food until you feel better.
- Eat bland foods that are easier to digest, like crackers, bananas, toast, oatmeal, and rice.
- Avoid high-fiber foods, caffeine, spicy foods, and alcohol, which could worsen vomiting and diarrhea.
- Stay home and rest.
- Use heat packs to help stomach cramps.
- Throw out any food that could be contaminated.
Wellness and prevention
To avoid eating contaminated food:
- Whenever handling food, make sure to wash your hands, utensils, and food preparation surfaces frequently.
- Make sure food is stored at the right temperature (inside a fridge or cooler if you’re outside).
- Keep raw meat and fish separate from other foods.
- Don’t eat or drink food past its expiration date.
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