Q17. How do you treat food poisoning?
A17. Food poisoning often resolves itself within a few days. You can help matters by drinking plenty of fluids such as water and add an oral re-hydration powder to replace minerals lost during your illness.
These powders are available as a sachet and can be purchased from a pharmacist. They are also available on prescription from your GP.
The aim is to reduce the risk of dehydration. Dehydration is caused by excess fluid loss and can be dangerous. If you develop severe dehydration then you will have to be admitted to hospital. Once there you will be placed on an intravenous drip.
If your food poisoning is caused by bacteria then you will be prescribed antibiotics.
Find out more in our treatment for food poisoning section.
FAQS Index : Food Poisoning FAQ
- What causes food poisoning?
- Who is more likely to get food poisoning?
- Is food poisoning worse for some people than others?
- Can the symptoms of food poisoning be mistaken for another illness?
- Who has a higher risk of food poisoning?
- What are the symptoms of food poisoning?
- Which foods are most likely to cause food poisoning?
- What is e coli?
- What is salmonella?
- What is campylobacter?
- What is listeria?
- What is norovirus?
- What is staphylococcus?
- Which parasites cause food poisoning?
- Which wild mushrooms cause food poisoning?
- Should you contact your GP if you have food poisoning?
- How do you treat food poisoning?
- Are there any complications with food poisoning?
- I have developed food poisoning after eating a takeaway: should I report this?
- Can you prevent food poisoning?
- What is cross contamination?
- What is ‘food irradiation?’
- Why is listeria dangerous for pregnant women?
- What are the risks of food poisoning in children?
- Why are older people likely to get food poisoning?
- How is food poisoning diagnosed?
- What is dehydration?
- What is food safety?
- How common is food poisoning?
- What is the outlook for food poisoning?
Food Poisoning Guide
- Food Poisoning
- What is food poisoning?
- Food poisoning or gastroenteritis?
- High risk for food poisoning
- Foods which are likely to cause food poisoning
- Types of food poisoning
- Chicken food poisoning
- Beef food poisoning
- Pork food poisoning
- Fish food poisoning
- Ciguatera poisoning
- Scombroid poisoning
- Bacterial food poisoning
- E coli
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Salmonella
- Clostridium botulinum
- Listeria
- Shigella
- Campylobacter jejuni
- Vibrio parahaemolyticus
- Vibrio cholerae
- Bacillus cereus
- Clostridium perfringens
- Yersinia Enterocolitica
- Enterobacter sakazakii
- Viral food poisoning
- Noroviruses
- Rotavirus
- Adenovirus
- Parasites
- Toxoplasma
- Giardia
- Cryptosporidium
- Entamoeba histolytica
- Toxins
- Mushroom toxins
- Red kidney bean toxins
- Shellfish toxins
- Pesticides
- Causes of food poisoning
- Contamination
- Cross-contamination
- Symptoms of food poisoning
- Diagnosing food poisoning
- Treatment for food poisoning
- Home based treatment
- Medical treatment
- Follow up treatment
- Complications of food poisoning
- Lactose intolerance
- Anaemia
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Kidney failure
- Haemolytic uraemic syndrome
- Reactive arthritis
- Guillain-Barre syndrome
- Pericarditis
- Reporting food poisoning
- Preventing food poisoning
- Cleaning
- Cooking
- Chilling
- Cross contamination
- Food irradiation
- Food safety and your family
- Pregnancy and food poisoning
- Babies and food poisoning
- Children and food poisoning
- Teenagers and food poisoning
- Elderly and food poisoning
- Research into food poisoning
- Food Poisoning FAQs
- Glossary