What to expect from a GP consultation for food poisoning

The GP may ask when vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach cramps or fever began, what you ate, whether anyone else became ill and whether you have travelled recently. They may check your temperature, pulse, blood pressure, abdomen and signs of dehydration. Blood or stool testing may be considered when symptoms are severe, prolonged, bloody or linked to a public-health concern. Food poisoning can have infectious or toxin-related causes, so treatment depends on the pattern.

Tell the GP how much fluid you can keep down, how often you are passing urine and whether you have seen blood. Take small, frequent sips of suitable fluids and follow advice about oral rehydration. Eat lightly when able and wash hands carefully. Do not take leftover antibiotics; they are not suitable for every cause. Ask before using anti-diarrhoeal medicines, especially with fever or blood in the stool.

Seek urgent care for confusion, fainting, severe dehydration, severe or localised abdominal pain, blood in vomit or stool, breathing difficulty, or inability to keep fluids down. Children, older adults, pregnant people and those with significant medical conditions may need earlier assessment.

Ask how to replace fluids, whether you need testing, when you can return to work or school, and which symptoms should prompt reassessment.