How doctors diagnose food poisoning
Your healthcare provider may suspect food poisoning based on your symptoms. They might ask you about what you’ve recently eaten to try and identify the source of the toxin. If you have certain symptoms, they may want to check for specific parasites or bacteria. They might take a poop sample or give you a blood test. But often, they don’t need to know the type of germ you have.
Management and Treatment
What is the treatment for food poisoning?
In most cases, you can manage food poisoning at home. Staying hydrated is the most important thing you can do to support your body while it does its work. Supportive care might include a hydration formula, like Pedialyte™. This can help to balance your electrolytes and prevent dehydration. If you or your child shows signs of dehydration, you might need to go to the hospital for IV fluids.
Is there a medication for food poisoning?
Certain types of infections may need treatment with antibiotics or antiparasitic medications. Your healthcare provider can tell you if you have one of these types. Most of the time, antibiotics won’t help. And in some cases, they can make food poisoning worse.
Healthcare providers don’t prescribe medications to stop diarrhea if you have food poisoning. This is because they can make it last longer. But you can try over-the-counter (OTC) bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto Bismol®). This might help relieve your symptoms.
When should I call my healthcare provider about food poisoning?
Call your healthcare provider if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding with food poisoning. Call if you’re caring for a child under 5 or a person over 65 who’s having trouble keeping fluids down. People in these age groups are more at risk of dehydration. Call if you or your child has any unusual symptoms, like:
- Persistent, high fever of over 102 degrees Fahrenheit (38.9 degrees Celsius)
- Bloody diarrhea or bloody vomit
- Dark pee or lack of pee
- Blurred vision
- Delirium or confusion
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
Outlook / Prognosis
What should I expect if I have food poisoning?
Most people recover in a few days without any treatment. But if you or someone in your care has an unusually severe reaction, you might need medical help. The most common reason for this is dehydration, especially in those who are under 5, over 65, pregnant or have weaker immune systems.
Prevention
How can food poisoning be prevented?
Safe food handling practices are the most important way to prevent food poisoning. Those who harvest, handle and prepare food need to be alert to the risks at every stage of the process.
Safe practices include:
- Cleaning: Wash raw produce well in clean water. Wash your hands and utensils before using them. Clean and disinfect all surfaces that your food will touch. That includes cutting boards, countertops and plates. Don’t forget things your hands might touch in the kitchen, like towels.
- Separating: Keep raw meat and eggs away from produce. Cooking kills germs on meat — but if those germs touch uncooked food, they can spread.
- Cooking: Cook meats and seafood thoroughly to the proper temperatures to kill germs. Whole cuts of meat can be pink on the inside if they’re well-seared on the outside. Ground meats need to be thoroughly cooked with no pink left. Fish should be flakey and opaque, not translucent.
- Chilling: Refrigerate or freeze prepared foods within two hours of cooking. This keeps bacteria from growing. Sauces like gravy and mayonnaise need to be kept cool while they’re out. Check the expiration dates on your refrigerated foods and look for signs of mold or an “off” smell.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
You probably feel awful right now. Diarrhea, vomiting, fever. These symptoms mean your body is trying to purge the toxin that has taken over your digestive system. The good news is that food poisoning usually runs its course in a day or two. Just focus on staying hydrated and letting your body fight it off. If your symptoms don’t get better soon, or they get worse, check in with your healthcare provider.
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