title: Treating foodborne illness.
abstract: In healthy adults and children in developed countries, most foodborne and water-borne infections are short-lived and resolve without specific treatment. In developing areas, these infections may produce acute mortality and chronic morbidity caused by developmental impairment. Immune-compromised hosts are at increased risk of life-threatening complications. This article reviews recommendations for the treatment of the most common and important foodborne illnesses, focusing on those caused by infections or toxins of microbial origin. The cornerstone of life-saving treatment remains oral rehydration therapy, although the use of other supportive measures as well as antibiotics for certain infections is also recommended.
authors.affiliation: Infectious Disease, University of British Columbia, Rm. D452 HP East, VGH, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 3J5, Canada. Electronic address: tsteiner@mail.ubc.ca.
authors.forename: Theodore
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Steiner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000930:Antidiarrheals / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D005440:Fluid Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005517:Foodborne Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D010276:Parasympatholytics / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000930:Antidiarrheals; D000932:Antiemetics; D010276:Parasympatholytics
keywords: Antibiotics; Antidiarrheals; Antiemetics; Diarrhea