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A 30-year-old member asked:

How do you treat food poisoning?

6 doctor answers9 doctors weighed in
Dr. Arthur Heller
Gastroenterology 45 years experience
Fluids, maybe meds: Supportive care, fluids, brat diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, tea), maybe meds. Not always antibiotics; be careful using antidiarrheals-can retain the germ. Probiotics can be helpful. Contact md if prolonged, fever, bleeding, can't keep things down or in.
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Dr. Larry Lutwick
Infectious Disease 51 years experience
Food borne illness: There are many causes. Some have illnesses that are self limited like staph and norovirus that are treated symptomatically. Others like salmonella and campylobacter can be treated with antimicrobials if diagnosed early enough. Botulism needs antitoxin and sometimes breathing support.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Heidi Fowler
Psychiatry 27 years experience
Variable treatments: Treatment of Food poisoning may include oral or intravenous replacement of fluids/ electrolytes. Antibiotics may be needed for bacterial infections. Hospitalization is sometimes necessary.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Larry Lutwick
Infectious Disease 51 years experience
Symptomatically: For the most part. Although some causes of foodborne gastroenteritis should not be treated with anti-diarrheal meds despite diarrhea because shigella and e. Coli o157 can be made worse. Remember some foodborne diseases are not specifically gastrointestinal such as botulism and amnestied shellfish poisoning and scombroid fish poisoning.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Heidi Fowler
Psychiatry 27 years experience
Depends on type: Treatment of Food poisoning may include oral or intravenous replacement of fluids/ electrolytes. Antibiotics may be needed for bacterial infections. Hospitalization is sometimes necessary.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. John Chiu
Allergy and Immunology 59 years experience
Depends: Most food poisoning are self-limited- takes a few days to recover. But a few requires hospitalization as in the case of poison mushroom. Your question is too generalized .
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

Similar questions

Fresno, CA
A 36-year-old male asked:

What are the symptoms of food poisoning. How do you treat it?.

1 doctor answer6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Ahmad Ibrahim
Urgent Care 21 years experience
Hmm: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain within a few hours of ingestion. Provided your symptoms get better in a day or , fluids and supportive measures should take care o it . If symptoms persist more than a day or 2 a more complete history and physical by your doctor is advised.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 33-year-old member asked:

What medicine is there to treat food poisoning?

3 doctor answers5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Chad Morse
Gastroenterology 27 years experience
Time and Fluids: Meds for symptoms: uncontrolled vomiting (zofran, phenergan, compazine). Moderate diarrhea - imodium. Since most food poisoning is self-limited, pushing fluids and getting rest is best most of the time. If high fever, severe abdominal pain, bloody stools, or are sick for more than 48 hours, see a doctor! you may need antibiotics and IV fluids. Xifaxan (rifaximin) is a nice antibiotic for traveller's diarrhea.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Heidi Fowler
Psychiatry 27 years experience
Fantastic answer.
Nov 14, 2015
A 34-year-old member asked:

How do I treat e coli food poisoning?

2 doctor answers2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Cornelia Franz
Specializes in Pediatrics
Homeopathy: Hopefully you are better now...If it is bad and you are getting dehydrated, you need to be seen. My favorite treatment for food poisoning (vomiting and diarrhea) is homeopathic arsenicum album.. It works wonderfully.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

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Last updated Mar 25, 2022

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