How to Rehydrate After Food Poisoning

Recover from food poisoning by rehydrating.

Most food poisoning cases cause similar symptoms: abdominal pain, headache, diarrhea, vomiting, weakness and fever. However, in most cases the primary symptom of food poisoning to care for is dehydration. Symptoms of dehydration include excessive thirst, little or no urination, severe weakness and a dry mouth. To treat dehydration and food poisoning, it is important to recognize your symptoms and find the best approach to treat them. Here are some ways of rehydrating and recovering from food poisoning.

Things You'll Need

• Liquids
• Sports drinks
• Electrolytes
• Prescribed medication
• Doctor contact information

Instructions

1. Avoid solid foods until the diarrhea has passed.

2. Drink decaffeinated fluids. Stay away from dairy products until you recover from lactose intolerance. Consider sports drinks for faster rehydration.

3. If necessary, consume electrolytes, or minerals such as sodium, potassium and calcium, that balance the fluids in your body. Children, especially, usually require electrolytes.

4. Purchase over-the-counter drugs to alleviate symptoms such as abdominal pain and headaches. Never stop medications, such as diuretics, before consulting your doctor.

5. Seek medical attention for possible intravenous treatment if you're unable to consume fluids because of nausea or vomiting. Intravenous delivery allows your body to receive fluids much more quickly than by mouth.

Tips & Warnings

• Recovery usually occurs within 12 through 48 hours, although they sometimes take longer. Contact your health care provider if the symptoms persist.

• If you contract bacterial food poisoning, you might require antibiotics. However, most cases of food poisoning do not require antibiotics. Contact your doctor if diarrhea or vomiting lasts longer than two days, if you vomit blood, if there's blood in your stool, if you have a fever exceeding 101.5 F, or if you have severe abdominal pains.

References

• Medicine Plus
• Mayo Clinic
• The New York Times