Nothing can ruin a holiday season like contracting food poisoning after enjoying an incredible meal. Food poisoning can cause long-lasting and notoriously miserable symptoms. Learn about what causes food poisoning and how to treat it. Visit AFC Urgent Care Bound Brook for same-day illness diagnosis and treatment near Bound Brook, NJ.

Causes and Symptoms of Food Poisoning

Food poisoning is an infection that you can contract from consuming contaminated food. Unlike many illnesses which usually are caused by either a viral or bacterial infection, food poisoning can occur due to either a virus or bacteria. When food is stored incorrectly or not washed before cooking, it can grow bacteria or carry viruses that are not killed during cooking if they are improperly cooked.

Symptoms of food poisoning:

●Stomach cramping

●Nausea

●Vomiting

●Diarrhea

●Fatigue

●Fever

●Muscle aches 

Although some cases of food poisoning can be caused by a virus, food poisoning is not contagious from one person to another. If multiple people consume the same contaminated food, multiple people may contract food poisoning around the same time. However, if you have food poisoning, you cannot spread it to others.

When to Seek Medical Care for Gastrointestinal Upset

Food poisoning symptoms usually begin one to three days after you consume contaminated food. Most food poisoning cases only last a day or two before symptoms resolve. However, certain infections can cause symptoms to last weeks. Although there are some exceptions, most cases of food poisoning have no medical treatment available. Your body will eventually rid itself of the infection. If your symptoms are severe or last longer than a week, you should seek medical treatment for diagnostic testing.

Food poisoning can cause severe dehydration, especially in young children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems. If you are suffering from dehydration, you may require IV fluids to help your body recover. With diagnostic testing, your healthcare provider can confirm the cause of your illness and recommend treatment options as well as provide at-home care suggestions.

Tips for Treating Food Poisoning at Home

Most cases of food poisoning can be managed at home. However, food poisoning can cause some notoriously miserable symptoms which can be debilitating. Follow these tips to promote a speedy recovery from food poisoning:

●Drink electrolytes

●Avoid carbonated beverages

●Stick to a bland diet

●Don’t force yourself to eat

●Rest

●Take over-the-counter medications to manage symptoms

If you have food poisoning, it is important to let your body rest. However, make sure you’re drinking electrolytes to avoid suffering from dehydration. It is never a good idea to force yourself to eat, as it can cause your symptoms to worsen. Resting and allowing your body to recover is the best way to ensure a smooth recovery from food poisoning.

Get Same-Day Illness Diagnosis & Treatment by Visiting AFC Urgent Care Bound Brook

Recognizing early symptoms of food poisoning can give you time to prepare, however, because there is no medical treatment for most cases of food poisoning, you likely will have to manage your symptoms at home. At-risk groups should be especially mindful of the dangers of dehydration caused by food poisoning and seek medical care if necessary for IV fluids. At AFC Urgent Care, our clinic is open for walk-in patients 7 days a week with extended business hours, so that you can access the care that you need when it’s convenient for you.

If you’re feeling under the weather, AFC Urgent Care Bound Brook can help. Our medical providers are board-certified and trained to identify and treat a variety of illnesses. We accept most medical insurance plans and offer affordable care options. Simply walk into our clinic, or schedule your visit online. For any additional questions regarding our clinic, please contact us directly by calling 732-469-3627.