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Conditions
FoodPoisoning
Illness from contaminated food, causing vomiting, diarrhoea, and stomach cramps. Usually resolves within a few days.
Get assessed
From $24.95 · No appointment needed
6 min
avg cert turnaround
13 min
avg doctor review
2
days a week
30%
refund if declined
Symptoms
CommonsymptomsofFoodPoisoning
An AHPRA-registered doctor assesses these symptoms online - no in-person visit required.
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhoea
Stomach cramps
Fever
Fatigue
Loss of appetite
Our Scope
Howwecanhelp
InstantMed handles many common conditions entirely online. Here's what fits our service.
What we can help with
- Medical certificates for food poisoning (critical for food handlers)
- Advice on rehydration
- Assessment of severity
- Guidance on when to return to work
What needs in-person care
- Stool testing (usually not needed)
- IV fluids for severe dehydration
Depending on your situation, an AHPRA-registered doctor may be able to issue a medical certificate or arrange a repeat prescription after reviewing your request online.
Clinical Guidance
Whentoseeadoctor
These indicators suggest you should seek professional medical advice promptly.
Signs you need a doctor
- 1Symptoms lasting more than 3 days
- 2Signs of dehydration
- 3Blood in stool
- 4High fever
- 5You need a medical certificate (especially food handlers)
Seek emergency care if
- Severe dehydration
- Blood in vomit or stool
- Confusion
- Unable to keep fluids down
Call 000 or go to your nearest emergency department
Clinical Insight
Adoctor'sperspectiveonFoodPoisoning
InstantMed Clinical Team
AHPRA-registered medical team · Reviewed 2026-03
Food poisoning and gastro present very similarly, but the distinction matters. Food poisoning typically has a shorter incubation period (2-6 hours for staphylococcal toxin, 12-48 hours for Salmonella) and can often be linked to a specific meal. Gastroenteritis has a longer incubation and spreads person-to-person. For most cases, the treatment is the same: fluid replacement and rest. What I assess is whether there are features suggesting a more serious foodborne illness - bloody diarrhoea (possible E. coli, Campylobacter, or Shigella), high fever, severe abdominal pain, or recent overseas travel. Notifiable diseases like Salmonella require reporting to public health authorities. Food handlers have specific workplace exclusion requirements: 48 hours symptom-free before returning to work. For a medical certificate, food poisoning is entirely legitimate - you should not be at work while symptomatic.
Treatment
TreatingFoodPoisoning
Most food poisoning is caused by viral or bacterial toxins and is self-limiting within 1-3 days. Treatment is primarily supportive -- oral rehydration and rest. Antibiotics are not indicated for the majority of cases. Exceptions include: Salmonella typhi (typhoid), severe Campylobacter in immunocompromised patients, or confirmed Giardia (parasitic, not bacterial). Antiemetics can help maintain fluid intake when vomiting is frequent. Any traveller with persistent diarrhoea should be assessed for parasitic infections such as Giardia lamblia.
Oral rehydration salts (ORS)
Hydralyte, Gastrolyte
Class:Oral electrolyte replacement
Typical dose:200-400ml per hour continuously; 500ml per episode of vomiting or diarrhoea in adults
PBS:Available OTC without prescription
- Prevents and treats dehydration -- the primary risk from food poisoning
- More effective than sports drinks or plain water due to balanced electrolyte and glucose content
- Continue until fully recovered and eating normally
Ondansetron
Zofran, Onsia
Class:5-HT3 antagonist antiemetic
Typical dose:4mg orally every 8 hours; wafer formulation available if swallowing tablets is difficult
PBS:PBS listed; typically prescribed off-label for food poisoning; $25.00 general / $7.70 concession (PBS, 2026)
- Reduces vomiting and improves oral rehydration tolerance
- Can be prescribed via telehealth when vomiting is severe and preventing fluid intake
Metronidazole
Flagyl, Metronidazole Sandoz
Class:Nitroimidazole antibiotic / antiparasitic
Typical dose:400mg three times daily for 7 days (Giardia treatment); 2g as single dose alternative
PBS:PBS listed for giardiasis and other parasitic infections; $25.00 general / $7.70 concession (PBS, 2026)
- First-line treatment for confirmed Giardia lamblia infection (common in travellers returning from Asia, Africa, South America)
- Also used for Entamoeba histolytica (amoebic dysentery) and Clostridium difficile in combination
- Avoid alcohol during treatment and for 24 hours after -- causes severe nausea and flushing
- A telehealth consult can prescribe for travellers with confirmed or suspected Giardia
Source: Therapeutic Guidelines -- Gastrointestinal, 2023; Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) food safety guidelines; Australian Government Department of Health traveller's diarrhoea guidelines. This information is educational only and does not replace clinical assessment.
Specialist referral: Seek in-person assessment if: bloody diarrhoea, fever above 39 degrees C, symptoms lasting more than 5-7 days, severe dehydration, or if you are immunocompromised. Travellers with persistent diarrhoea after returning from overseas should have stool cultures and Giardia antigen testing. Haemolytic uraemic syndrome (a rare complication of E. coli O157 infection) requires urgent hospital assessment.
Food Poisoning in Australia
There are an estimated 4.1 million cases of foodborne gastroenteritis in Australia each year
Foodborne illness results in approximately 31,920 hospitalisations and 86 deaths annually in Australia
Campylobacter is the most commonly notified foodborne infection in Australia, followed by Salmonella
The most common sources of food poisoning in Australia are poultry, eggs, leafy greens, and seafood
Recovery
Whattoexpect
Typical recovery timeline and return-to-work guidance for most patients.
Typical recovery
Most food poisoning resolves within 1-3 days. Bacterial food poisoning (Salmonella, Campylobacter) can take 5-7 days. Parasitic causes (Giardia) may persist for weeks without treatment.
Return to work
Stay home until 48 hours after your last episode of vomiting or diarrhoea. Food handlers must follow this strictly. If you work in healthcare, childcare, or aged care, the same exclusion period applies. Your employer cannot legally require you to return earlier.
When to reassess
See a doctor if symptoms persist beyond 3 days, if you notice blood in your stool, if you have a high fever (over 39°C), if you cannot keep any fluids down for 12 hours, or if you recently travelled overseas (parasitic causes may need specific treatment).
Self-Care
ManagingFoodPoisoningathome
Evidence-based tips to support your recovery alongside medical treatment.
Focus on oral rehydration - small, frequent sips of Hydralyte or Gastrolyte are better than large volumes of plain water
Avoid solid food until vomiting stops, then start with bland foods (BRAT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce, toast)
Avoid dairy, caffeine, alcohol, and fatty foods until fully recovered - these worsen symptoms
Rest as much as possible - your body is fighting an infection
If you suspect a specific food caused it, report it to your local council or the Food Standards hotline
Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after each bathroom visit - alcohol-based sanitisers are less effective against some foodborne pathogens
FAQ
CommonquestionsaboutFoodPoisoning
Answers to the most common questions from patients.
Food handlers must stay home 48 hours after last symptoms. Others should stay home until well enough to work.
Yes. Food poisoning is a legitimate reason, and food handlers have strict return-to-work requirements.
Most food poisoning is viral and doesn't need antibiotics. Bacterial causes may need them - a doctor can assess.
Start with clear fluids, then bland foods (toast, rice, bananas). Avoid dairy, fatty foods, and alcohol until recovered.
Ready to get help with Food Poisoning?
Australian-registered doctors review your request when available.
Full refund if the doctor declines.