From the Guidelines
The treatment for both food poisoning and gastroenteritis primarily focuses on preventing dehydration through fluid replacement, with the use of oral rehydration solutions, such as Pedialyte, being recommended for mild cases, and intravenous fluids for more severe cases, as stated in the 2017 Infectious Diseases Society of America clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of infectious diarrhea 1. For mild cases of either condition, rest and drinking plenty of clear fluids like water, clear broths, or oral rehydration solutions are recommended.
- More severe cases may require intravenous fluids in a hospital setting.
- Anti-diarrheal medications like loperamide (Imodium) can provide symptom relief but should be avoided if there's fever or bloody diarrhea, as they can prolong the infection, as noted in the guidelines 1.
- For bacterial food poisoning, antibiotics may be prescribed in severe cases, with choices depending on the specific pathogen (common options include ciprofloxacin or azithromycin).
- Antiemetics such as ondansetron (Zofran) can help control nausea and vomiting, particularly in children >4 years of age and in adolescents with acute gastroenteritis associated with vomiting, as recommended in the guidelines 1. The key difference in treatment approaches is that viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu) is self-limiting and antibiotics are ineffective against it, while certain types of bacterial food poisoning may benefit from antibiotic treatment.
- For both conditions, it's essential to ease back into eating with bland, easy-to-digest foods like toast, rice, bananas, and applesauce once vomiting subsides.
- Seek medical attention if symptoms are severe, include bloody diarrhea, high fever, signs of dehydration, or last longer than 3 days, as emphasized in the guidelines and other studies 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Treatment Overview
The treatment for food poisoning and gastroenteritis share some similarities, as both conditions often require supportive care to manage symptoms.
- The primary goal of treatment is to prevent dehydration and provide adequate rehydration, usually through oral rehydration therapy (ORT) 2, 3.
- In cases of severe dehydration, intravenous fluids may be necessary.
Medications
- Ondansetron, an antiemetic, has been shown to be effective in reducing hospital admissions and the use of intravenous rehydration in patients with acute gastroenteritis, particularly when used in a single dose 2, 4.
- Probiotics, on the other hand, have demonstrated a lack of benefit in recent large trials, and their routine use for acute gastroenteritis is not recommended 2, 4.
- Loperamide can be effective in treating diarrhea, but its use should be cautious and guided by the specific diagnosis and patient population 5.
Specific Considerations
- Patients at high risk, such as the elderly, young children, and immunosuppressed individuals, may require more specific therapy and closer monitoring 3, 6.
- The management of acute gastroenteritis in the emergency department should follow a best-evidence approach, taking into account recent guidelines from relevant medical societies 6.
Key Differences
- While food poisoning is often caused by bacterial or viral contamination of food, gastroenteritis can have a broader range of causes, including viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections.
- The treatment approach may vary depending on the underlying cause of the condition, but supportive care and rehydration remain essential components of management.