Is It Really Food Poisoning?

Food poisoning can cause serious illness that can sometimes be fatal if not treated properly. With the Centers for Disease Control reporting that more than 48,000 people get sick each year from some type of food-related illness, more and more people are wondering whether what they’re experiencing at home is indeed food poisoning — and if it is, what type of food poisoning treatment should be pursued.

The Timing of Food Poisoning

The symptoms of food poisoning will present themselves within the first 36 hours of ingesting contaminated food. However, it’s important to point out that some cases of food infection may not appear until much later – sometimes up to one week after the food has been ingested.

The Symptoms of Food Poisoning

Although food poisoning usually presents itself with stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting, other pathogens can manifest in symptoms as wide-ranging as what’s shown below:

• Fever
• Chills
• Loose stools
• Bloody diarrhea
• Blurred or double vision
• Sensitivity to light

Some of the above symptoms signal a type of food poisoning called botulism and require immediate food infection treatment from a facility such as Medco ER & Urgent Care. Some other symptoms include:

• Vomiting
• Dehydration
• Confusion
• Light-headedness

Food Poisoning Remedies

Most severe forms of food poisoning will require medical intervention if the symptoms have not cleared on their own within a day or two. If you are experiencing diarrhea, it is very important to stay hydrated. While solid food intake may make you feel worse, you might try drinking broth, tea, or coconut water in addition to regular water intake to avoid dehydration and restore lost electrolytes. Try to avoid drinking sugary beverages since they can make symptoms of diarrhea worse. Once your stomach starts to settle down, reintroduce bland foods in small quantities. These include plain toast, bananas, rice, non-creamed soups, and unsweetened oatmeal. If you are experiencing severe symptoms or if your symptoms persist over a long period of time, seek medical help.

At Medco ER & Urgent Care, our facilities are designed to treat food poisoning and it’s symptoms at any severity. Our locations in Plano and Frisco are open 24/7 and our compassionate staff is always standing by, available to help at any time. There are no appointments needed and with our minimal wait times, you will be back to feeling better, faster.