Food poisoning can be caused by eating contaminated food, usually when it hasn't been cooked properly. Find out what to look for and how to perform first aid.
Food poisoning can be caused by eating contaminated food. In most cases, the food hasn’t been cooked properly and is contaminated by bacteria like salmonella or E. coli. Cases are rarely serious and people usually recover within a week, but it can leave you feeling quite unwell.
Look for:
nausea
vomiting
stomach cramps
diarrhoea
fatigue
aches and chills
signs of a fever, with a high temperature
If you think someone has food poisoning, advise them to lie down and rest.
Encourage them to drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration. In particular:
if they are vomiting. Encourage them to drink small sips of water.
after each loose stool.
Seek medical advice if:
they are vomiting a lot and unable to keep fluids down
they have blood in their stools
they are an older person or have an underlying health problem such as diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, or kidney disease
they are pregnant
you think they are becoming dehydrated (older people, babies, and young children are at greater risk).
Do not take anti-diarrhoea medicines unless specifically advised by a healthcare professional.
For advice, speak to your GP or call 111. In an emergency, call 999 or 112.
When they feel hungry again, advise them to eat light, bland, easily digested foods, such as bread, rice crackers, or a banana.
Avoid alcohol, caffeine, or fizzy drinks.
To prevent the spread of infection, encourage regular hand washing using soap and water (not hand sanitiser).
Stay off work or school for at least 48 hours after the last episode of diarrhoea or vomiting.
