7 things you should do if you have food poisoning
Accidents happen in the smallest corners, and food poisoning can happen in the smallest bite. That spring roll that tasted strange, rendang that was left out of the fridge for too long, and that mussel that was half open or half closed? Bam, you’ve got it. So what do you do then?
Every year, 70,000 people get food poisoning. They’ve eaten something that wasn’t good, and boy, will they know it: diarrhea, nausea and feeling absolutely awful in general. The difference between a sneaky stomach bug and food poisoning: within one to eight hours after eating the wrong food, you notice that something isn’t right. You feel nauseous, may even develop a fever, and your intestines start protesting. It can even make you seriously ill and leave you bedridden for days. One consolation: within three days, you’ll be rid of the misery. For most people, it’s merely unpleasant, but for the elderly and babies, food poisoning is genuinely dangerous; the RIVM estimates that ten people die from food poisoning every year.
Don’t panic
Have you vomited a few times? Don’t panic—your body will clear out the mess itself. You’ve probably just thrown up the food that made you sick. Take it easy, but don’t worry.
Drink enough
Is it lasting longer? Are you still feeling nauseous and unable to keep anything down? Above all, try to drink. Take a few spoonfuls of water, tea or broth every five or ten minutes. This helps prevent dehydration. You can also take ORS, a solution of glucose and salt (available at the pharmacy), but honestly: it tastes pretty awful.
Grandma’s remedies really do help
Your grandma wasn’t so crazy when she said you should drink a little cola or ginger ale for nausea. Let the soft drink stand so it loses its fizz, or dilute it with water, and drink it in small sips. Maybe it will help? Other tips: a damp washcloth on your head, ginger tea and breathing exercises (in through your nose, out through your mouth—remember yoga?) can help too.
No pills
Even if your medicine cabinet is full of remedies for diarrhea and nausea: stay away from them. Of course it’s unpleasant to feel so awful, but your body needs to get rid of that nasty stuff. Stopping medication can also cause constipation, leaving you even worse off. Check whether any other medicines you take are still working properly. Birth control doesn’t work as well if you throw up the pill after taking it.
Wash your hands
Especially when you’re sick, wash your hands thoroughly after going to the toilet or vomiting. Imagine making other people sick!
Eat whatever you feel like
Is the worst of it over? Then you can cautiously start eating a little again. It doesn’t matter that much what you eat—follow your own taste. Many people stick to something light, such as boiled rice or some vegetables. Avoid apple juice, milk, carbonated soft drinks and diet products; your intestines don’t handle them well after an infection.
Let them know
Did you eat at a restaurant and get sick there? Let the restaurant know. Also check whether your dining companions got sick too.
Read also:
- Straight from the ditch into your pan: what you need to know about crayfish
- Why Fruitmentos never tastes the same again after playing the candy backseat game
- Are wooden spatulas unhealthy?
