Food Poisoning

What it is: You spent the afternoon in the park with friends and a picnic basket. Tonight you're spending it in the bathroom with a sudden attack of nausea, vomiting, cramping, and diarrhea.

What to do at home:

• Drink plenty of clear liquids to stay hydrated. Sports drinks are best; second best is diluted juice.
• When the nausea and vomiting ease, you can eat a little bland food, such as rice, bread, or boiled chicken.

Seek immediate help:

• If you feel dizzy, lightheaded, or confused, or if you pass out.
• If you have a fever over 101 degrees or sharp or gripping pains that last more than 15 minutes.
• If you can't keep fluids down or have been vomiting for eight hours, call a doctor; you may need IV fluids or medicine to stop the vomiting.
• If your symptoms don't let up within two days, it's time to see a doctor. You might have a microbe that requires antibiotics or a more serious problem.
• Other signals that you need help: You vomit blood, you have bloody bowel movements, or you stop urinating.