Food poisoning is primarily caused by eating food that is contaminated with infectious organisms. Symptoms come on suddenly and can last a few days. If you think you may have food poisoning, visit or call AFC Urgent Care Bedford for a proper diagnosis. Our trained physicians can provide you with the information you may need for treatment to speed up recovery.
What causes food poisoning?
Food poisoning is caused by contaminated food. Food can become infected through cross-contamination, bacteria, parasites, or viruses. Consuming raw food is a large reason people come down with food poisoning. Cooking food to its proper internal temperature kills off harmful bacteria that make you sick, so raw food can still harbor the bacteria. The CDC has provided a variety of contaminants that can live on food, as well as how quickly symptoms can appear from them. Read more about the contaminants here. No matter the contaminant, food poisoning symptoms are all the same. They can include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain or cramps
Symptoms only last a few days, but it is important to replace the lost fluids in your body to decrease dehydration risk. Dehydration is the biggest risk of food poisoning in healthy children and adults. Individuals with chronic health conditions, pregnant women, or the elderly are at the highest risk of developing more severe symptoms and dehydration.
How can I treat & prevent food poisoning?
There is no specific medication that is the cure-all for food poisoning. It is best to let the illness run its course of a few days. Getting plenty of rest and rehydrating frequently can help speed along with the recovery. If eating out, getting food poisoning at certain restaurants may be inevitable.
It is possible, however, to avoid getting it in your own home. The best way to prevent food poisoning is by handling and cooking food properly. Food should be defrosted entirely when taking out of the freezer and left in the refrigerator until ready for use. Never refreeze food that has been thawed, and do not reheat leftovers more than once. Raw food should be kept separately from food that is ready to eat. This can eliminate cross-contamination. Always cook any meat, chicken, or seafood to the proper internal temperature. This guide can help you know what internal temperature your food should be cooked to before consuming.
If you think you or a family member has come down with food poisoning, visit AFC Urgent Care Bedford for a diagnosis. We are open seven days a week and do not require appointments for urgent care services.
Food poisoning is primarily caused by eating food that is contaminated with infectious organisms. Symptoms come on suddenly and can last a few days. If you think you may have food poisoning, visit or call AFC Urgent Care Bedford for a proper diagnosis. Our trained physicians can provide you with the information you may need for treatment to speed up recovery.
What causes food poisoning?
Food poisoning is caused by contaminated food. Food can become contaminated through cross-contaminated, bacteria, parasites, or viruses. Consuming raw food is a large reason people come down with food poisoning. Cooking food to their proper internal temperature kills off harmful bacteria that make you sick, so raw food can still harbor the bacteria. The CDC has provided a variety of contaminants that can live on food, as well as how quickly symptoms can appear from them. Read more about the contaminants here. No matter the contaminant, food poisoning symptoms are all the same. They can include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain or cramps
Symptoms only last a few days, but it is important to replace the lost fluids in your body to decrease your risk of dehydration. Dehydration is the biggest risk of food poisoning in healthy children and adults. Individuals with chronic health conditions, pregnant women, or the elderly are at the highest risk of developing more severe symptoms and dehydration.
How can I treat & prevent food poisoning?
There is no specific medication that is the cure-all for food poisoning. It is best to let the illness run its course of a few days. Getting plenty of rest and rehydrating frequently can help speed along with the recovery. If eating out, getting food poisoning at certain restaurants may be inevitable.
It is possible, however, to avoid getting it in your own home. The best way to prevent food poisoning is by handling and cooking food properly. Food should be completely defrosted when taking out of the freezer and left in the refrigerator until ready for use. Never refreeze food that has been thawed, and do not reheat leftovers more than once. Raw food should be kept separately from food that is ready to eat. This can eliminate cross-contamination. Always cook any meat, chicken, or seafood to the proper internal temperature. This guide can help you know what internal temperature your food should be cooked to before consuming.
If you think you or a family member has come down with food poisoning, visit AFC Urgent Care Bedford for a diagnosis. We are open 7 days a week and do not require appointments for urgent care services.
