What should you know about food poison home treatment?

Food poisoning is an illness caused by contaminated food or drink. It can lead to diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and sometimes fever. Symptoms can appear at different times depending on the cause, so the last meal is not always responsible. The illness can affect fluid and salt balance when losses continue.

Most mild cases can be monitored at home, but risk is higher for babies, older adults, pregnant people and anyone with a weakened immune system or a long-term illness. See the Food Poisoning page for broader information about causes and symptoms.

Take small, regular sips of water or an oral rehydration drink. Oral Rehydration Therapy replaces fluid and salts more effectively than relying on very sweet drinks alone. If vomiting makes drinking difficult, pause briefly and restart with tiny sips. Eat when able, choosing plain, easy-to-digest foods, and avoid alcohol and foods that clearly worsen symptoms.

Wash hands carefully, clean toilet surfaces and avoid preparing food for other people while unwell. Do not use leftover antibiotics or anti-diarrhoeal medicine without advice, because the right choice depends on the cause and your symptoms.

Seek urgent care for confusion, fainting, very little urine, inability to keep fluids down, severe abdominal pain, blood in vomit or stool, or a high or persistent fever. Children and frail adults can become dehydrated quickly. IV Fluid Therapy may be needed when drinking cannot replace fluid losses.

How much should I drink, and which rehydration product is suitable? Could any medicine be causing these symptoms? When can I return to work or school? Do I need testing or review because of my age, pregnancy or medical history?