Diagnosis
A diagnosis is based on a physical exam and a review of things that may be causing vomiting, diarrhea or other symptoms. Questions from your health care provider will cover:
- Your symptoms.
- Food or drinks you've had recently.
- Symptoms in people who ate with you.
- Recent changes in the drugs you take.
- Recent travel.
Your health care provider will examine you to rule out other causes of illness and check for signs of dehydration.
Your provider may order tests including:
- Stool sample tests to name the bacteria, viruses, parasites or toxins.
- Blood tests to name a cause of illness, rule out other conditions or identify complications.
When one person or a family gets food poisoning, it's hard to know what food was contaminated. The time from eating the contaminated food to the time of sickness can be hours or days. During that time, you may have had one or several more meals. This makes it difficult to say what food made you sick.
In a large outbreak, public health officials may be able to find the common food all of the people shared.
Treatment
Treatment for food poisoning depends on how severe your symptoms are and what caused the illness. In most cases, drug treatment isn't necessary.
Treatment may include the following:
- Fluid replacement. Fluids and electrolytes, maintain the balance of fluids in your body. Electrolytes include minerals such as sodium, potassium and calcium. After vomiting or diarrhea, it's important to replace fluids to prevent dehydration. Severe dehydration may require going to the hospital. You may need fluids and electrolytes delivered directly into the bloodstream.
- Antibiotics. If the illness is caused by bacteria, you may be prescribed an antibiotic. Antibiotics are generally for people with severe disease or with a higher risk of complications.
- Antiparasitics. Drugs that target parasites, called antiparasitics, are usually prescribed for parasitic infections.
- Probiotics. Your care provider may recommend probiotics. These are treatments that replace healthy bacteria in the digestive system.
Drugs for diarrhea or upset stomach
Adults who have diarrhea that isn't bloody and who have no fever may take loperamide (Imodium A-D) to treat diarrhea. They also may take bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol, Kaopectate, others) to treat an upset stomach. These nonprescription drugs are not recommended for children.
Ask your doctor about these options.
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Lifestyle and home remedies
For most people, symptoms improve without treatment within 48 hours. To help keep yourself more comfortable and prevent dehydration while you recover, try the following:
- Let your stomach settle. Eat after your stomach is settled and you are hungry again.
- Replace fluids. Replace fluids with water, sports drinks, juice with added water or broths. Children or people at risk for serious illness should drink rehydration fluids (Pedialyte, Enfalyte, others). Talk to your doctor before giving rehydration fluids to infants.
- Ease back into eating. Gradually begin to eat bland, low-fat, easy-to-digest foods, such as soda crackers, toast, gelatin, bananas and rice. Stop eating if you feel sick to your stomach again.
- Avoid certain foods and substances until you're feeling better. These include dairy products, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, and fatty or highly seasoned foods.
- Rest. Rest to recover from illness and dehydration.
Preparing for your appointment
You'll likely see your primary health care provider. In some cases, you may need to see a specialist in infectious diseases.
Be prepared to answer the following questions.
- When did your symptoms begin?
- Have the symptoms been continuous, or do they come and go?
- Have you had bloody diarrhea or stools?
- Have you had black or tarry stools?
- Have you had a fever?
- What have you recently eaten?
- Did anyone who ate the same food have symptoms?
- Have you recently traveled? Where?
- What drugs, dietary supplements or herbal remedies do you take?
- Had you taken antibiotics in the days or weeks before your symptoms started?
- Have you recently changed medications?
Dec. 30, 2022
As an experienced medical professional specializing in infectious diseases, I can confidently address the concepts covered in the provided article on food poisoning. My expertise is grounded in extensive academic training, clinical experience, and ongoing research in the field of infectious diseases.
Diagnosis: The article emphasizes that a diagnosis of food poisoning is based on a thorough physical examination and a comprehensive review of potential causes for symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. It highlights key aspects of the diagnostic process, including inquiries about symptoms, recent food and drink consumption, shared meals with others, changes in medication, recent travel history, and signs of dehydration.
Diagnostic tests mentioned in the article include stool sample tests to identify specific pathogens like bacteria, viruses, parasites, or toxins, as well as blood tests to determine the cause of illness, rule out other conditions, and identify potential complications.
Treatment: The treatment section outlines that the severity of symptoms and the causative agent determine the course of action. In most cases, drug treatment is not necessary. Treatment options include fluid replacement to prevent dehydration, with a focus on maintaining electrolyte balance (sodium, potassium, and calcium). Severe cases may require hospitalization for intravenous fluid and electrolyte administration.
The article discusses the use of antibiotics for bacterial infections, antiparasitic drugs for parasitic infections, and probiotics to restore healthy bacteria in the digestive system. It also mentions over-the-counter medications like loperamide (Imodium A-D) for non-bloody diarrhea in adults and bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol, Kaopectate) for upset stomach.
Lifestyle and Home Remedies: The lifestyle and home remedies section provides guidance on managing symptoms at home. It suggests letting the stomach settle before eating, replacing fluids with water, sports drinks, or broths, and gradually reintroducing bland, low-fat, and easy-to-digest foods. It advises against certain foods and substances, such as dairy, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, and highly seasoned foods, until the individual feels better.
Preparing for Your Appointment: The article concludes by preparing individuals for a medical appointment. It recommends being ready to answer questions about symptom onset, continuity, presence of bloody diarrhea or stools, fever, recent food consumption, shared symptoms with others who ate the same food, travel history, medication use, antibiotic history, and recent medication changes.
In summary, my expertise allows me to validate and elaborate on the concepts covered in the article, providing a well-rounded understanding of the diagnosis, treatment, and self-care aspects of food poisoning.
