What to Do For Food Poisoning

Food poisoning occurs when one swallows water or food which was contaminated by bacteria, viruses, parasites or toxins. During food poisoning one will get acute symptoms like stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting, with or without diarrhea. Due to certain contaminant a person might also get chills, fever, bloody stools, dehydration or nervous system damage and in rare cases death. However, in many cases of food poisoning one might get better without having to visit the doctor. Hospitalization is required only if the person along with food poisoning signs has severe dehydration, which means one has lost too much fluid due to diarrhea and vomiting. In such a case there is food poisoning with severe dehydration the doctor will supply you with fluids and medicine using and IV.

What to Do for When You Get Food Poisoning
You can use certain food poisoning remedies. But if you have severe stomach pain, then in such a case instead of using any home food poisoning treatments, contact a doctor immediately. As this could be more serious than food poisoning. The main concern when you are suffering from food poisoning, is to prevent dehydration. Here are some self care measures on food poisoning, that you can use.

• If you have nausea or vomiting, then avoid eating any solid foods.
• Keep on having clear fluids. You can buy electrolyte drinks powder from the drugstore and mix it water and drink it.
• Avoid drinking any milk or caffeine containing products.
• If the vomiting and nausea stops, then keep having little portions of foods. Easy to digest foodstuffs like bananas, rice and toast are good choices.
• If nothing stays inside the body, then keep sucking on ice chips.
• Try to limit your time in sun, as this can cause further dehydration.
• For 3-4 days avoid foodstuffs which are difficult to digest.
• After 4-5 days, you can slowly resume your normal diet.
• Do not keep meats, poultry, seafood, milk or eggs for long period at room temperature. Refrigerate these foodstuffs, to store and use them.
• Avoid using unpasteurized milk or milk products which are made with pasteurized milk.

Ways to Avoid Food Poisoning
Here are some tips that will help you to prevent food poisoning, and help to store food in good conditions.

• Always wash your hands properly, before you start preparing food and after you get out of the toilet and handle the pets.
• Maintain the surfaces of the kitchen and surroundings clean.
• Keep your pets away from the kitchen and food.
• Take care to defrost the food completely, before you cook it.
• Cook the food properly before eating, meat shouldn't have uncooked pink bits in it.
• Whenever eating leftovers, reheat them and serve them piping hot.
• Always keep raw fish and meat covered and stored at the bottom of the fridge.
• For food safety, keep the raw foods like vegetables, fruits, etc. covered.
• Rinse vegetables and fruits under running water thoroughly, before consuming them.
• Always check food products for expiry dates. If the food packets look like they have fungus or smell bad, or have an expired date, then do not buy them.

These were the self care measures when one has food poisoning. If your symptoms fail to subside within 24 hours, or gets worse, then seek a doctor's help. Also, if you get food poisoning during pregnancy, then seek immediate medical help, as food poisoning can harm the fetus.