Food Poisoning and Safe Food Handling

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In most cases, the diarrhea and other symptoms of food poisoning go away in 2 to 3 days, and you do not need treatment. It may be longer than 2 to 3 days until you feel normal again.

All you have to do is manage symptoms, especially diarrhea, and avoid complications until the illness passes. In most cases, dehydration caused by diarrhea is the main complication.

The goal of treatment is to replace fluids and electrolytes lost through vomiting and diarrhea. If dehydration is severe and cannot be managed at home, you may need treatment in the hospital, where fluids and electrolytes may be given to you by inserting a needle into your vein (intravenously).

To prevent dehydration, take frequent sips of a rehydration drink (such as Pedialyte). Try to drink a cup of water or rehydration drink for each large, loose stool you have. Soda and fruit juices have too much sugar and not enough of the important electrolytes that are lost during diarrhea and they should not be used to rehydrate. You can make your own rehydration drink.

Try to stay with your normal diet as much as possible. Eating your usual diet will help you to get enough nutrition. Doctors believe that eating a normal diet will also help you feel better faster. But try to avoid foods that are high in fat and sugar. Also avoid spicy foods, alcohol, and coffee for 2 days after all symptoms have disappeared.

Medicines that stop diarrhea (such as Imodium) can help with your symptoms. But these medicines should not be used in children or if you have a high fever or bloody diarrhea. Antibiotics are rarely used and only for certain types of food poisoning or in severe cases. Pregnant women with listeriosis or toxoplasmosis may receive antibiotics.

Children

Extra precautions should be taken to prevent dehydration in children.

  • Symptoms of mild dehydration in your child include being irritable, agitated, fussy, or restless and urinating less frequently than usual.
  • Symptoms of moderate dehydration include a decreased interest in play, sunken eyes with few tears, and urinating fewer than 3 times in 24 hours.
  • Symptoms of severe dehydration include a lack of interest in playing, extreme sleepiness, a dry mouth and tongue, fast breathing, a rapid heartbeat, and not urinating for more than 12 hours. Severe dehydration is a medical emergency. Callor other emergency services immediately.

For children who are breast-feeding or bottle-feeding, continue the regular breast milk or formula feeding as much as possible. You may have to feed at more frequent intervals to replace lost fluids. Give an oral rehydration solution (ORS), such as Pedialyte, between feedings only if you see signs of dehydration.

For older children, give ½ cup [4 fl oz (118 mL)] to 1 cup [8 fl oz (237 mL)] of water, milk, or a rehydration drink each hour, and try to keep feeding your child his or her usual diet. Foods to try include potatoes, chicken breast without the skin, cereal, yogurt, and fruits and vegetables. Try to avoid foods that have a lot of fat or sugar. Supplement feedings with small sips or spoonfuls of a rehydration drink or clear liquid every few minutes.

For more information on treating diarrhea or dehydration, see the topics Diarrhea, Age 11 and Younger, Diarrhea, Age 12 and Older, and Dehydration.

Follow the links below for more information, including specific treatment for each organism:

Botulism, E. coli infection, and infection during pregnancy

For botulism food poisoning, immediate and intensive medical care is usually needed. This care includes:

  • Giving botulism antitoxin to adults within 72 hours after symptoms are first observed.
  • Giving botulism immunoglobulin (BIG) to infants less than 1 year old.
  • Mechanical breathing assistance from a ventilator.

There are many strains of E. coli, and some of them cause disease by making a toxin called Shiga toxin. Shiga-toxin–producing E. coli is also known as STEC. And the most commonly identified STEC in North America is E. coli O157:H7. Treatment of E. coli infection generally consists of managing the complications, mainly dehydration caused by diarrhea. If you develop symptoms of severe blood or kidney problems, such as anemia or kidney failure, you may have to go to the hospital. Treatment of E. coli may include:

  • Monitoring of fluids and essential minerals.
  • Dialysis to filter waste products from your blood. Some people with kidney failure caused by E. coli infection require dialysis.
  • Blood transfusion to treat anemia by giving you additional oxygen-rich red blood cells.

Most healthy adults recover from E. coli infections in 5 to 10 days without the need for medicine. Antibiotics are usually not recommended, and medicines that stop diarrhea are not used to treat the infection. For more information, see the topic E. Coli Infection.

If you are pregnant, all food poisoning can be more severe. And toxoplasmosis and listeriosis can be dangerous to your fetus. If you are diagnosed with either of these conditions during pregnancy, you will be treated with antibiotics. For more information on toxoplasmosis, see the topic Toxoplasmosis During Pregnancy.

What To Think About

Babies and young children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with impaired immune systems are more likely to become ill with food poisoning and have complications. These people should seek medical care if they or their caregivers think they may have food poisoning. Pregnant women should always consult their doctors if they feel they may have food poisoning, because the infection can be passed on to the fetus.

By: Healthwise StaffLast Revised: February 8, 2011
Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
W. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease

© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

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