Food poisoning is an illness caused by eating contaminated food, which can be caused by bacteria, a virus, or a parasite. Symptoms can include stomach pain or cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. If you suspect that you have food poisoning, here are some steps you can take:

1. Rest: Simple rest is one way to help your body heal from food poisoning. Take it easy until you are feeling better. Additionally, do not eat or drink for a few hours after the onset of symptoms. Once you do start eating and drinking again, try gentle and bland foods, like crackers, and sports drinks. Suck on ice chips to stay hydrated.

2. Hydrate: Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration, which can make symptoms worse. Fluids and electrolytes, like sports drinks, maintain the balance of fluids in your body. Electrolytes include minerals such as sodium, potassium, and calcium. After vomiting or diarrhea, its important to replace fluids to prevent dehydration. Severe dehydration may require going to the hospital.

3. Avoid certain foods and substances: Gradually begin to eat bland, low-fat, easy-to-digest foods, such as soda crackers, toast, gelatin, bananas, and rice. Stop eating if you feel sick to your stomach again. Avoid certain foods and substances until youre feeling better, such as caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, and fatty or highly seasoned foods.

4. Contact a doctor: You can treat most cases of food poisoning at home. However, you should see a doctor if your fever goes above 100.4 degrees, you see blood in your vomit or stool, or your diarrhea lasts for more than three days.

5. Contact Poison Control: If you suspect a poisoning, contact Poison Control right away. Help is available online with webPOISONCONTROL® or by phone at 1-800-222-1222. Both options are free, expert, and confidential.

Prevention is key when it comes to food poisoning. To prevent food poisoning, handle raw food, especially meat, in a sanitary way, refrigerate or freeze perishables that need to be stored promptly, cook meat to the proper temperature, and defrost frozen food safely and cook it immediately. If a food item looks questionable, just throw it away.