Food poisoning can cause a variety of symptoms including stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. In fact, a fever caused by food poisoning can sometimes be an indication of how severe the food poisoning is. That said, fevers are a common symptom for many different ailments from the common cold to severe viral infections. It can be difficult to self-diagnose any illness based on a fever alone. That is why it is important to know the causes and symptoms associated with food poisoning as well as knowing when to seek medical diagnosis/treatment.
For same-day food poisoning diagnosis and treatment, visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care Cortez. Our team of board-certified medical providers are available seven days a week to provide exceptional care. Simply walk-in or plan your visit in advance below!
What Causes Food Poisoning?
As the name suggests, food poisoning is most commonly caused by the food we eat. But more specifically, food poisoning can occur when certain bacteria in food causes an infection. Depending on the bacteria, food poisoning symptoms can start almost immediately after you eat the food or within days or even a week. Different types of bacteria can cause different symptoms, but the most common food poisoning symptoms include nausea, vomiting, cramps, diarrhea, and fever. Food poisoning is frequently caused by ingesting raw or undercooked food.
Common signs and symptoms of food poisoning include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Weakness
How Do I Know If My Fever Is From Food Poisoning?
Fevers have many potential causes from food poisoning to the flu. Food poisoning tends to affect our digestive system while respiratory illnesses tend to affect the lungs, nose, and airways. If your fever happens alongside nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or other digestive symptoms it is more likely caused by food poisoning. Additionally, food poisoning symptoms often appear within a few hours to a few days after consuming contaminated food or beverage. If your fever and associated symptoms began within this timeframe, it’s likely related to food poisoning. That said there are other illnesses that can cause these symptoms as well. A quick trip to an urgent care facility can help diagnose health concerns and provide treatment options.
What Do You Do If You Have Food Poisoning?
Like a cold or the flu, food poisoning is caused by an infection, which means your body is naturally going to fight this off. Resting and staying hydrated can help your body fight off the bacteria faster. Hydration is extremely important because diarrhea and vomiting can lead to dehydration. Your symptoms should improve over time. However, if your symptoms are severe or worsening you should seek medical attention.
If your symptoms are severe or getting worse you should seek treatment from a medical professional. Some severe symptoms include blood in diarrhea, a fever above 102 degrees Fahrenheit, nausea/vomiting that makes it difficult to keep water down, and symptoms that last for three or more days. If you experience any of these, you should make a medical appointment for diagnosis and treatment options.
Get Same-Day Treatment at AFC Urgent Care Cortez
Determining if a fever is due to food poisoning involves assessing the symptoms, timing, recent food intake, and the severity of symptoms. If in doubt, it’s always best to seek medical attention to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment. At AFC Urgent Care Cortez, your health is our top priority. If you live in the Cortez, CO area and you have concerns about potential food poisoning, walk-in today! Our center is open seven days a week and appointments are not required. We accept most health insurance plans and offer low-cost options for self-pay patients. If you have any additional questions about food poisoning treatment, or other services we provide, please contact us directly at (970) 516-5500.
