If you've searched Google for health insurance that covers food poisoning then you are probably for looking for trusted UK based health insurance companies that can cover food poisoning.
Our advice when looking for private medical cover that covers food poisoning is to speak to a health insurance broker. Health insurance is extremely complex and if you want complete certainty that food poisoning is covered you should consult with a broker who can explain which policy providers will cover this medical condition and which will not.
There are many advantages to using a insurance broker but the largest by far is that you're using their insurance training at no cost. They are paid by the insurer (Aviva or Bupa etc) rather than by you so it costs you no extra to use their services.
- Do you live in many different postcodes? Some will give you a cheaper policy premium than offers. A insurance broker will be able to advise whats best.
- Do you have a hobby that may invalidate your insurance claim? A broker will know this vital information.
- If you are a couple and one of you has claimed on your policy this year would it be cheaper to separate you both onto two different insurance policies?
- You've developed a certain condition and want to know which insurer offers the largest amount of cover for it. A broker will know this instantly saving you so much time and effort.
You can call around every health insurance provider you can find and ask if they cover food poisoning, however this will be a very time consuming process. Each insurer will ask for your medical history because its not normally a simple yes or not if a medical condition is covered or not.
Its far far quicker to speak to one medical insurance broker which will know which providers on the market cover food poisoning and under what terms they do or don't cover it.
Food Poisoning Information
Food poisoning is an illness caused by eating contaminated food. It's not usually serious and most people get better within a few days without treatment.
In most cases of food poisoning, the food is contaminated by bacteria, such as salmonella or Escherichia coli (E. coli), or a virus, such as the norovirus.
The symptoms of food poisoning usually begin within one to two days of eating contaminated food, although they may start at any point between a few hours and several weeks later.
The main symptoms include:
In most cases, these symptoms will pass in a few days and you will make a full recovery.
Most people with food poisoning recover at home and don't need any specific treatment, although there are some situations where you should see your GP for advice (see below).
Until you feel better, you should rest and drink fluids to prevent dehydration. Try to drink plenty of water, even if you can only sip it.
Eat when you feel up to it, but try small, light meals at first and stick to bland foods – such as toast, crackers, bananas and rice – until you begin to feel better.
Oral rehydration solutions (ORS), which are available from pharmacies, are recommended for more vulnerable people, such as the elderly and those with another health condition.
Read more about treating food poisoning
You should contact your GP if:
In these situations, your GP may send off a stool sample for analysis and prescribe antibiotics, or they may refer you to hospital so you can be looked after more closely.
Food can become contaminated at any stage during production, processing or cooking. For example, it can be contaminated by:
Foods particularly susceptible to contamination if not handled, stored or cooked properly include:
Read more about the causes of food poisoning and preventing food poisoning