Recovering from food poisoning: what to know

Diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and fever can leave you tired even after the worst symptoms ease. The gut may remain sensitive, so appetite and energy often return in stages. Recovery is helped by monitoring whether you can drink, urinate normally and keep small meals down. Food poisoning can also spread through contaminated hands or surfaces, so careful handwashing and avoiding food preparation for others while unwell reduce transmission.

Take frequent small sips of water or an oral rehydration drink, particularly after loose stools or vomiting. If nausea is present, sip slowly rather than drinking a large amount at once. Begin with easy-to-tolerate foods such as soup, rice, toast, bananas or yoghurt, then add usual foods as your appetite returns. Rest, keep food safely chilled and wash hands with soap and water. Oral Rehydration Therapy may help replace water and salts; IV Fluid Therapy is used when drinking is not enough or dehydration is significant.

Seek urgent help if you cannot keep fluids down, feel faint or confused, have very little urine, severe or worsening abdominal pain, blood in vomit or stool, or a high fever with marked weakness. Contact a clinician if diarrhoea or vomiting is not easing, if symptoms return after improving, or if you are pregnant, older, immunocompromised or caring for a young child. These situations can require assessment for dehydration or another cause.

Ask which fluids are suitable, when to restart regular meals, whether medicines you take should be paused, and what signs mean you need an examination or fluid treatment.