What should you know about CDC food poisoning?

Food poisoning is illness caused by contaminated food or drink. Diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and fever can occur together, although the pattern differs between infections and toxins. The main immediate concern is fluid loss, especially when vomiting or diarrhoea makes drinking difficult. Symptoms may settle with supportive care, but a person can become unwell quickly if they cannot keep fluids down.

Watch for thirst, a dry mouth, dizziness, unusual tiredness, or passing much less urine than usual. Young children, older adults, pregnant people, and anyone with a long-term illness may need advice sooner because dehydration can be harder to manage.

Take frequent small sips of water or an oral rehydration solution. Oral rehydration therapy replaces water and salts more effectively than relying on very sweet drinks alone. Once nausea eases, choose simple foods in small portions and return gradually to your usual diet. Rest, wash hands carefully, and avoid preparing food for other people while you are ill.

Do not force food when vomiting is active. Keep track of whether fluids stay down, how often you pass urine, and whether symptoms are improving. A clinician can assess dehydration and may use IV fluid therapy when drinking is not enough or vomiting prevents oral fluids.

Seek urgent care for fainting, confusion, severe weakness, severe abdominal pain, blood in vomit or stool, or signs of significant dehydration. Get prompt medical advice if vomiting prevents fluids, diarrhoea is persistent, or fever is high or accompanied by worsening illness. Do not wait for home care to work if a baby, frail older adult, pregnant person, or person with a serious medical condition is deteriorating.

Ask which fluids are suitable, whether your medicines should be adjusted while you are losing fluids, and what signs mean you need assessment. Tell the clinician when symptoms began, what you ate or drank beforehand, whether anyone else is ill, and how much you have been able to drink.