Understanding food poisoning, its symptoms and treatments

You're enjoying tasty food and a fun get-together. Later, something doesn’t feel right, and your good night is followed by a few really awful days. Food poisoning may be the culprit. 

Causes of food poisoning

Food poisoning describes a number of foodborne illnesses that can strike after eating or drinking contaminated food or water that contains bacteria, viruses, parasites or toxins. There are more than 250 types of foodborne illnesses, including: 

• norovirus, commonly called stomach flu
• rotavirus
• salmonella infection  
• listeria infection
• C. perfringens food poisoning
• E. coli.

Food poisoning symptoms 

Uncomfortable issues are the common link with food poisoning, but specific symptoms may vary depending on the type of bacteria, virus or toxin involved. The onset of symptoms can also vary from a few hours to a few days after eating or drinking something that’s tainted.

Mild food poisoning symptoms

• diarrhea
• upset stomach
• loss of appetite
• low fever
• chills.

Severe food poisoning symptoms

• abdominal pain and stomach cramps
• dizziness
• headache
• nausea or vomiting
• tingling sensation in the face
• body fatigue.

How to tell if it’s food poisoning or stomach flu?

Food poisoning and stomach flu can look and feel the same, with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea possible in both cases. The differences are in the cause, transmission and timing of symptoms. 

Food poisoning is caused by and transmitted through contaminated food or water. Symptoms may start within hours of a bad drink or meal. 

Stomach flu, also known as gastroenteritis, is often caused by a viral infection like norovirus. Despite what it’s commonly called, stomach flu is not the same as influenza. Stomach flu, depending on the cause, can be transmitted from person to person, or through contaminated food, water and surfaces. A person with stomach flu can be contagious for a few days and their symptoms can last more than a week.

How to treat food poisoning at home 

Most types of food poisoning can be treated at home and overcome within a couple of days. Here are some ideas for bouncing back.

Hydrate

If you’re hit with a bout of food poisoning, diarrhea and vomiting can make you lose fluids quickly. Get plenty of water to rehydrate. Drinks with electrolytes can treat mild dehydration by replacing body fluids and minerals lost to food poisoning.

Get rest

Food poisoning can make you tired as your body goes to work to fight infection and restore balance. A loss of appetite and dehydration caused by vomiting and diarrhea can also contribute to food poisoning fatigue. Rest is crucial for your body's recovery. Avoid strenuous activities and find comfortable places to relax. Consider using a warm compress on your stomach to ease discomfort. Avoid screentime at least one hour before bed, and create a cool, dark, quiet setting to get uninterrupted sleep.

Try the BRAT diet

When recovering from food poisoning, it’s best to eat simply. Some people have success settling their stomachs with what’s dubbed the BRAT diet, an acronym for bananas, rice, applesauce and toast. Oatmeal, clear broths, soda crackers and other low-fat, easy-to-digest foods can also help you restart eating. Stop if you feel sick to your stomach to avoid vomiting and the dehydration it can cause.

Consider probiotics

Food poisoning disrupts the gut’s balance of good and bad bacteria. Probiotics are good bacteria that can improve gut health during the recovery from food poisoning and other foodborne illnesses. They need to be refrigerated.

Probiotics are safe for most people, but they’re not for everyone, including people with weakened immune systems or other serious illnesses. A person with concerns should contact a health care provider before using probiotics to recover from food poisoning. 

Take over-the-counter medications

Some over-the-counter medicines for food poisoning can ease symptoms. Always read and follow the instructions on the medicine package. Discuss the use of medications with a pediatrician before giving them to children. Some medicines that may help include:

• Pepto-Bismol® (bismuth subsalicylate) can treat an upset stomach and diarrhea.
• Imodium® (loperamide) can help with mild diarrhea. (Often, diarrhea is the best way for your body to clear an infection on its own, so talk with a medical provider prior to using this medicine.)
• Pedialyte® (electrolyte solution) can help replenish fluids and electrolytes, thereby alleviating fatigue.
• Tylenol® (acetaminophen) can bring down a fever, reduce chills and ease headaches.
• Advil® (ibuprofen) can reduce stomach pain and help with headaches.
• Aleve® (sodium naproxen) can be helpful for intense headaches or migraines. 

Some health care providers may suggest skipping over-the-counter treatments if they think you’ll be able to recover naturally. 

Is food poisoning dangerous?

About 1 in 6 people in the U.S. get a foodborne illness every year, which creates 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths. While food poisoning isn’t usually serious, some people are at higher risk for complications, including:

• adults 65 and older
• children 5 and younger
• pregnant women
• people with conditions that weaken the immune system
• if you are prescribed a diuretic medication
• if you have heart or kidney disease.

When to get emergency treatment 

People in high-risk groups should get help with food poisoning and foodborne illnesses. Other people should seek attention if symptoms turn severe. Call 911 or visit the closest emergency department if you need immediate care. 

Symptoms that should be evaluated by a health care provider include:

• intense belly pain or cramping
• watery diarrhea that turns bloody and persists
• an inability to keep down foods or liquids for more than 24 hours
• a fever above 100.4° that does not improve with medication
• dry mouth and extreme thirst 
• significant weakness or dizziness
• blurry vision 
• tingling sensation in the arms.