Treatment for foodborne illness varies according to the type and severity of the illness. Mild cases may be treated by replacing fluids and electrolytes (substances that are necessary for normal bodily chemistry and function) to avoid dehydration. Increasing fluid intake is particularly important for children because they become dehydrated faster than adults.

Tips for replacing fluids include:

• Begin by drinking small amounts of clear liquids (4 or more ounces each hour) if it can be tolerated. Soft drinks, tea, coffee, fruit juice and sports drinks should be avoided because they do not replace electrolytes appropriately.
  
  
• If diarrhea is severe (especially in children), drink oral rehydration solutions (fluids that contain glucose and electrolytes).
  
  
• Antidiarrheal medications may be taken to ease symptoms of diarrhea. However, these medications should be avoided in patients experiencing a high fever or blood in the stools.

After diarrhea and vomiting subsides, patients may start to gradually eat solid foods. Some diet tips include:

• Eat foods that contain salt, such as crackers or pretzels, to replace lost sodium.
  
  
• Eat foods such as oatmeal, white rice, applesauce and bananas to help slow down bowel movements.
  
  
• Eat foods that are easy to digest, such as chicken noodle soup or chicken rice soup.
  
  
• Avoid foods such as apple juice and chewing gum, which contain sorbitol, a sugar alcohol that worsens diarrhea.
  
  
• Limit intake of fatty and greasy foods (e.g., pizza) and high-fiber foods (e.g., bran cereal, whole grain breads, beans) because they may worsen diarrhea.

Severe cases of foodborne illness may require hospitalization. Patients may receive fluids intravenously (through a vein). Patients may be given antidiarrheal medications to ease diarrhea or antiemetics to treat nausea and/or vomiting. Patients are rarely given antibiotics to treat food poisoning. There are only a few types of foodborne illness (e.g., shigellosis) that respond to antibiotic treatment, and antibiotics can worsen some types of foodborne illness.