October is an enjoyable time for families. You may be jumping in leaf piles, planning Halloween costumes, and watching spooky movies. With all of October’s fun-filled activities, you may find yourself spending more time in the kitchen, cooking holiday treats. This is an ideal time to become more informed about the importance of food safety.

Everyone is at risk from food poisoning– whether you’re cooking at home or eating out at a restaurant. At AFC Urgent Care Hillsdale, we encourage you to walk-in to the clinic and learn more about preventing illness. Continue reading for some tips about preventing foodborne illness before it happens, and visit our urgent care center if you require treatment today.

What are the symptoms of food poisoning?

When food gets contaminated, a foodborne illness outbreak can occur. The threat of food poisoning varies between case-to-case. Symptoms can range from mild discomfort to very serious illness. While some symptoms pass without medical treatment, foodborne illnesses can at times be severe and lead to complications.

Symptoms of foodborne illness can include:

• Nausea & Vomiting
• Fever
• Stomach cramps
• Diarrhea
• Headache

Some groups of people are at a higher risk for developing food poisoning, including older adults, pregnant women, and people with weaker immune systems. If you're in one of these groups, or your symptoms persist, visit AFC Urgent Care Hillsdale for quality food poisoning treatment.

How can I avoid food poisoning?

There are many things you can do to improve your chances of avoiding foodborne illness. In the home, food safety can mean knowing how to buy, prepare, and store food. Remember to always wash your hands with warm, soapy water before preparing foods and after handling raw meat, fish, eggs and poultry. With Halloween around the corner, you should make sure to check candy’s expiration dates.

When you’re eating out at a restaurant– trust your gut. If something doesn’t look properly cooked, don’t eat it.  Additionally, keep raw foods to themselves, as germs can spread from one food to another. Heat food to safe temperatures and use a food thermometer to guarantee it’s done cooking. If you are experiencing any symptoms of food poisoning, you can walk-in to AFC Urgent Care Hillsdale for treatment.

How is food poisoning treated?

Foodborne illnesses affect millions of people, but it remains under-reported each year. These illnesses significantly affect the well-being of communities. Sometimes, symptoms can be remedied at home, with rest and plenty of fluids. In other cases, it may be critical for you to seek medical treatment. At AFC Hillsdale, we may treat your food poisoning by replacing lost fluids and electrolytes or prescribing medication and probiotics.

Illness Treatment at AFC Urgent Care Hillsdale

When you’re sick, AFC Urgent Care Hillsdale is there. We’re open every day of the week, making food poisoning treatment and other urgent care services accessible when you need it. Don’t leave your health up to chance, visit our urgent care center with no appointment necessary. Call now for more information about food safety practices or additional questions at (201) 523-9222.