Food poisoning is an unpleasant illness that can appear suddenly and unexpectedly. Learn about the early signs of food poisoning as well as tips for safe food preparation to help reduce your risk of getting sick with food poisoning. AFC Urgent Care Lyndhurst offers same-day illness diagnosis and treatment with no appointment needed for patients in Lyndhurst, NJ, and the surrounding communities.
What Causes Food Poisoning
If you are experiencing sudden onset gastrointestinal upset, there is a chance that you may have consumed contaminated food that has led to food poisoning. Food poisoning is an infection that is caused by consuming contaminated food products. Food can become contaminated in a variety of different ways, however, improper cooking and storage are common causes of food poisoning.
When food is stored incorrectly, such as being kept for too long in the fridge, bacteria can grow on that food product. Unlike mold, bacteria are invisible to the naked eye, meaning that you likely won’t know that the food is contaminated. If food that has bacteria growth or has picked up a virus is not cooked properly, these contaminants won’t die in the cooking process and will make you sick. Although food poisoning is not contagious, early diagnosis can help you take steps to better manage your symptoms.
Symptoms Of Food Poisoning
Food poisoning often appears very suddenly with intense symptoms lasting anywhere from a day up to a week. Symptoms can vary depending on exactly how your food was contaminated. Oftentimes, symptoms don’t appear until 1-3 days after you consume contaminated food. This can make it difficult to know exactly where and when you consumed contaminated food.
Symptoms include:
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Body aches
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Headaches
Does Food Poisoning Resolve on Its Own?
If you suspect that you’re suffering from food poisoning, it is important to monitor your symptoms. In most healthy adults, food poisoning will pass on its own within a week of symptoms appearing. However, for the elderly, young children, or other compromised individuals, food poisoning can cause severe dehydration and require medical treatment. There are several steps that you can take to help your body recover quickly from food poisoning.
Although there is no way to stop your body from purging the contaminated food, managing your symptoms at home can greatly impact how severe your symptoms are. Using electrolytes in your water is a great way to help replenish your body and they are readily available at most grocery stores and pharmacies. Similarly, over-the-counter fever reducers are very effective at managing symptoms such as body aches and chills. Getting quality rest and not forcing yourself to eat while your stomach is upset are also both great ways to help ensure your body can recover quickly.
Visit AFC Urgent Care Lyndhurst For Walk-In Illness Care in Lyndhurst, NJ
If you have food poisoning symptoms, it is important to monitor your symptoms closely to ensure you aren’t suffering from severe dehydration or other concerning symptoms. AFC Urgent Care Lyndhurst offers same-day medical diagnosis and treatment for a variety of common illnesses, including food poisoning. We never require you to schedule an appointment to receive prompt medical care at our clinic, just walk in when it’s convenient for you or schedule an appointment online.
Our dedicated team of medical providers is available 7 days a week to provide comprehensive medical care for the whole family. We accept most major medical insurance plans and offer affordable care options for patients paying out of pocket. If you’re experiencing illness symptoms and are in search of affordable medical care with short wait times, walk into AFC Urgent Care Lyndhurst today. For additional information regarding our clinic, contact us directly by calling (201) 345-3839.
