What should you know about mild food poisoning?

Food poisoning is an illness caused by contaminated food or drink. A mild episode may bring diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, or a fever. Symptoms can occur together or separately, and repeated fluid loss is the main concern.

A person can feel tired or washed out even when the stomach symptoms are settling. Keep track of whether you can drink and pass urine. Young children, older adults, and people with long-term health conditions can become dehydrated more quickly.

Take frequent small sips of water or an oral rehydration solution. Oral Rehydration Therapy can replace water and salts lost through diarrhoea or vomiting. If nausea makes drinking difficult, try a sip every few minutes rather than a large glass.

When your appetite returns, choose simple foods that you tolerate, such as soup, rice, bread, or bananas. Rest, wash your hands carefully, and avoid preparing food for other people while you are unwell. Do not take leftover antibiotics or medicines intended for someone else.

Arrange medical advice if you cannot keep fluids down, symptoms are worsening, or you are passing very little urine. Seek urgent care for fainting, confusion, severe or persistent abdominal pain, blood in stool or vomit, or a marked fever.

A clinician may assess hydration and decide whether testing or IV Fluid Therapy is needed. People who are pregnant, frail, very young, older, or living with a significant medical condition should seek advice sooner if symptoms do not settle.

Could another illness explain these symptoms? Which fluids or medicines are suitable for me? What signs would mean I need to return for assessment?