Things to do after food poisoning include drinking fluids, avoiding solid foods until diarrhea has subsided, and avoiding dairy products. In addition, children should drink electrolyte-replacement fluids after food poisoning to restore fluids and minerals lost through diarrhea and vomiting. Although most cases of food poisoning will resolve after a few days, hospitalization may be required for more serious cases.
Causes of food poisoning include viruses, bacterial contamination, toxins, and parasites. In addition, bacterial food poisoning can be transmitted via contaminated water, contaminated meat, or unsanitary food preparation or handling. Food poisoning can also occur after eating food that has been prepared by a person whose hands were not thoroughly washed.
Symptoms of food poisoning include fever, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and weakness. In addition, dehydration can quickly occur after food poisoning and can become severe enough to require treatment with intravenous fluids. This is typically more common in those who are very young or old, those who have predisposing medical conditions, or those who are pregnant. In addition, people with compromised immune systems are susceptible to complications from food poisoning.
Occasionally, taking antibiotics may be recommended after food poisoning if the illness was caused by bacteria. If, however, the food poisoning is related to a virus, antibiotics will typically not be recommended. Although over-the-counter medications to help relieve diarrhea may offer symptomatic relief, they should be avoided in those with bloody diarrhea or those who have a fever. Discussing these medications with the physician is important to make sure they are safe to take.
After food poisoning, the physician may recommend further medical testing, such as the analysis of stools, blood, vomit, or even the food that has been implicated in the food poisoning episode. Since other medical conditions can mimic the symptoms of food poisoning, a complete medication examination may be in order if symptoms do not resolve despite treatment. Recovery, however, can be lengthy in some patients and weakness can linger for weeks.
Food poisoning can sometimes be prevented by making sure foods are cooked thoroughly and making sure that raw foods are kept away from foods that are ready to eat. In addition, when food quality is in question, it should be thrown away. If questions about food poisoning aftercare persist, a discussion with the doctor may be in order.