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Food Poisoning — First Aid and Care
What to do
- Most food poisoning (vomiting and diarrhoea starting hours to a few days after suspect food) settles on its own within a few days. The main risk is dehydration.
- Drink small, frequent sips of fluid — water is fine; oral rehydration solutions (from a pharmacy) replace salts as well and are best for children, older people and heavy losses. Avoid alcohol and caffeine.
- Rest, and eat lightly when appetite returns — plain foods in small amounts. There is no need to starve.
- Wash hands thoroughly after toilet visits and before preparing food, and do not prepare food for others while ill and for at least 48 hours after symptoms stop — food poisoning spreads easily.
- Watch for dehydration: passing little or no urine, dark urine, dry mouth, dizziness on standing, unusual drowsiness — in babies, fewer wet nappies, no tears and a sunken soft spot.
- Seek medical advice if symptoms are severe or prolonged (see below); anti-diarrhoea medicines are not routinely recommended, especially for children — ask a pharmacist or clinician.
What NOT to do
- Do not force large volumes of fluid at once — small sips stay down better.
- Do not send a vomiting child to school or nursery until 48 hours after the last episode.
- Do not ignore blood in vomit or stool, severe abdominal pain, or inability to keep any fluid down.
- Do not take leftover antibiotics for food poisoning — most cases are viral or toxin-related and antibiotics can harm.
When to get medical care
Seek urgent care for: signs of dehydration, blood in stool or vomit, severe or worsening abdominal pain, fever that is high or persistent, vomiting that prevents keeping fluids down for more than about 24 hours (sooner for children), symptoms lasting more than a few days, or illness in a baby, pregnant woman, older person or someone with a weakened immune system. Sudden illness with double vision, drooping eyelids or weakness after preserved foods is an emergency (botulism) — call 911.
Related symptoms
Frequently asked questions
How soon after eating does food poisoning start?
It depends on the cause: some toxins act within 1 to 6 hours, common bacteria take 6 to 72 hours, and viruses such as norovirus typically 12 to 48 hours. If several people who shared a meal fall ill together, food poisoning is likely and the pattern helps investigators.
When can I go back to work or school?
Stay away until at least 48 hours after vomiting and diarrhoea have completely stopped, and longer if your job involves handling food or caring for vulnerable people — local guidance may specify. Hand hygiene is critical on return, as shedding continues.
In an emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) first — do not delay a call to read a guide. These pages are educational first-aid information in general terms; they are not a substitute for emergency services, first-aid training, or assessment by a qualified clinician.
