Food poisoning

Food poisoning is an illness caused by eating contaminated food. In most cases, food is contaminated by bacteria or a virus like:

Food poisoning isn’t usually serious and most people get better within a few days without treatment.

Symptoms of food poisoning

Symptoms of food poisoning include:

Symptoms of food poisoning usually begin within 1 to 2 days of eating contaminated food. They can also start a few hours later or several weeks later.

Immediate action required: Phone 999 or go to A&E if:

You or your child:

  • vomit blood or have vomit that looks like ground coffee
  • have yellow-green or green vomit
  • may have swallowed something poisonous
  • have a stiff neck and pain when looking at bright lights
  • have a sudden, severe headache or stomach ache
  • have blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue – on brown or black skin this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet
  • are having severe difficulty breathing, or taking lots of quick, short breaths
  • are confused or not responding as usual

Urgent advice: Phone 111 or contact your GP practice urgently if:

  • You or your child:

    • have symptoms of severe dehydration, like persistent dizziness, only passing small amounts of urine or no urine at all
    • are vomiting constantly and are unable to keep down any fluids or feeds
    • have bloody diarrhoea
    • have diarrhoea for more than 7 days or vomiting for more than 2 days
    • have returned from a part of the world with poor sanitation in the past few weeks
    • have a condition like kidney disease, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or a weak immune system, and have diarrhoea and vomiting

What to do if you have food poisoning

If you or your child have food poisoning, stay at home until you’re feeling better.

There are things you or your child can do at home to help ease symptoms.

Do

  • get plenty of rest
  • drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration – take small sips of water
  • speak to your pharmacist about using a rehydration drink if you have signs of dehydration like a dry mouth or dark urine
  • eat when you feel up to it – try small, light meals
  • eat bland foods like toast, crackers, banana and rice until you feel better – avoid foods that are fatty or spicy
  • feed babies as usual, either with breast milk or other milk feeds – if they’re being sick, try giving small feeds more often than usual
  • give babies on formula or solid foods small sips of water between feeds

Don't

  • do not have alcohol, caffeine, fruit juice or fizzy drinks – they can make diarrhoea worse
  • do not make baby formula weaker – use it at its usual strength
  • do not give children under 12 medicine to stop diarrhoea
  • do not give aspirin to children under 16

Read further information about treating dehydration

What causes food poisoning?

Food poisoning is caused by eating something that’s been contaminated with germs. Any type of food can cause food poisoning.

Food can be contaminated if it’s:

  • not cooked or reheated thoroughly
  • not stored correctly – for example, it’s not been frozen or chilled
  • left out for too long
  • handled by someone who’s ill or hasn’t washed their hands
  • eaten after its ‘use by’ date

Further information on preparing and cooking food safely

How to prevent infection when you’re ill

Do

  • stay off school or work until you have not been sick or had diarrhoea for at least 2 days
  • try to keep contact with vulnerable people to a minimum, for example the very young or elderly
  • wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water, particularly after using the toilet and before preparing food
  • disinfect any surfaces or objects that could be contaminated – it’s best to use a bleach-based household cleaner
  • wash contaminated items of clothing or bedding separately on a hot wash
  • flush away any poo or vomit in the toilet and clean the surrounding area

Don't

  • do not prepare food for other people when you’re infected, if possible
  • do not rely on alcohol hand gels, as they’re not always effective
  • do not share towels, flannels, cutlery or utensils while you are ill