When should I consult my doctor about a diarrheal illness as a result from foodborne illness?
A health care provider should be consulted for a diarrheal illness is accompanied by • high fever (temperature over 101.5 F, measured orally) • blood in the stools • prolonged vomiting that prevents keeping liquids down (which can lead to dehydration) • signs of dehydration, including a decrease in urination, a dry mouth and throat, and feeling dizzy when standing up • diarrheal illness that lasts more than 3 days Do not be surprised if your doctor does not prescribe an antibiotic. Many diarrheal illnesses are caused by viruses and will improve in 2 or 3 days without antibiotic therapy. In fact, antibiotics have no effect on viruses, and using an antibiotic to treat a viral infection could cause more harm than good It is often not necessary to take an antibiotic even in the case of a mild bacterial infection. Other treatments can help the symptoms, and careful hand washing can prevent the spread of infection to other people. Overuse of antibiotics is the principal reason many bacteria
