Food Poisoning

What do street tacos, Chinese take-out, and contaminated food have in common? All three are capable of causing food poisoning. Symptoms of food poisoning include nausea, cramping, diarrhea, and vomiting.

If you suspect that the food poisoning is a result of seafood or mushrooms, call 911 immediately. If you aren’t sure what the cause of the food poisoning is, adhere to the following rules:

1. Control the nausea. Avoid solid foods until vomiting has ceased and then eat bland foods. Stick to the BRAT (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast) diet. Don’t take anti-diarrheal medication because it might cause more stomach irritation than it fixes.
2. Stay hydrated. Avoiding dehydration is vital to recovering quickly. Clear liquids should be sipped regularly.
3. Call a doctor if the symptoms last for longer than three days, a fever sets on, diarrhea becomes worse, or dehydration does not resolve.

—Frances Avery, Editor, Stance