What should you know about Gatorade and food poisoning?

Food poisoning can inflame the digestive tract and cause diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, and sometimes fever. Losing fluid and salts through repeated diarrhoea or vomiting can lead to dehydration. A sports drink may be easier to sip than plain water, but its composition may not match the needs of someone with substantial fluid loss. It also does not treat the infection itself.

Take frequent small sips rather than drinking a large amount at once. Oral rehydration therapy contains a measured balance of fluid and salts and may be preferable when losses are ongoing. Rest, continue drinking as tolerated, and return to light foods gradually. Avoid alcohol, and ask a clinician or pharmacist before taking medicines to stop diarrhoea, especially with fever or blood in the stool. IV fluid therapy may be needed when drinking is not possible.

Seek urgent care for severe abdominal pain, blood or black stool, repeated vomiting, faintness, confusion, very little urine, or an inability to keep fluids down. Medical advice is also appropriate when symptoms are worsening, fever is persistent, or several people became ill after the same meal.

Ask which rehydration drink suits your symptoms, how to recognise dehydration, whether testing is needed, and which foods or medicines should be avoided while you recover.