Food poisoning is often diagnosed based on a detailed history, including how long you’ve been sick, your symptoms and specific foods you’ve eaten. Your doctor may conduct diagnostic tests such as a blood test, stool culture or examination for parasites, to identify the cause and confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
For most people, the illness resolves without treatment within a few days, though some types of food poisoning may last longer.
- Treatment for food poisoning typically depends on the source of the illness, if known, and the severity of your symptoms.
- Replacement of lost fluids
- Fluids and electrolytes lost to persistent diarrhea need to be replaced.
- Antibiotics
- The sooner treatment begins, the better.
What to expect from your doctor
Ask questions
- Has anyone in your family or close to you developed similar symptoms? Did they eat the same things?
- Have you traveled anywhere where the water or food might not be safe, etc.?
- Are you having bloody bowel movements? Do you have a fever? When did symptoms begin and what foods have you eaten in the past few days?
What you can do in the meantime
Drink plenty of fluids and bland foods
Lifestyle and Home Remedies
To help keep yourself more comfortable and prevent dehydration while you recover, try the following: Let your stomach settle.
- Stop eating and drinking for a few hours. Ease back into eating. Gradually begin to eat bland, low-fat, easy-to-digest foods, such as soda crackers, toast, gelatin, bananas and rice.
What you can do
Preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your time with your doctor.
