Food poisoning symptoms can appear within hours or take several days to manifest, depending on the type of contaminant involved. Bacteria like “Salmonella,” “E. coli,” or “Listeria,” as well as viruses and toxins can all cause foodborne illnesses, each with varying onset times. In some cases, symptoms can appear within an hour of exposure while in others symptoms may not appear for 2 weeks after exposure. How long after exposure symptoms show up, and how long symptoms last both depend on the underlying cause of the infection. Keep reading to learn more about food poisoning symptoms. If you’re feeling sick and are experiencing symptoms of food poisoning, walk into AFC Urgent Care Waltham for same-day illness care!
What Causes Food Poisoning?
Food poisoning occurs when contaminated food or beverages introduce harmful pathogens, toxins, or chemicals into the body. Foods can become contaminated at various stages during production including during harvest, processing, cooking or storage. It is impossible to tell whether the food that you’re eating could have been contaminated by something during production. As a result, it is important to be vigilant as a consumer and always store your food according to package instructions and use within the expiration date listed on the label. Cooking meats and fish to the required minimum temperature will kill off any harmful pathogens that the food may have been exposed to.
Symptoms of Food Poisoning
Food poisoning symptoms can appear anywhere from hours to weeks after consuming contaminated food. The type of pathogen that is leading to your symptoms will influence how quickly your symptoms appear after exposure. The symptoms of food poisoning can also vary depending on the type of contaminant, but they generally affect the digestive system. Food poisoning symptoms are not contagious. However, it is possible that multiple people can get sick with food poisoning from eating the same food.
Common symptoms of food poisoning include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain and cramps
- Fever
- Fatigue and weakness
- Headache and muscle aches
Treatment for Food Poisoning
The treatment for food poisoning primarily focuses on managing symptoms and preventing dehydration while the body recovers. There is no medication to treat food poisoning, the body will fight off the infection over time. Staying hydrated by drinking fluids such as water, clear broths, or electrolytes helps replace fluids lost due to vomiting and diarrhea. Rest is also crucial to allow the body to heal. Follow a bland diet of easy-to-digest foods like rice, toast, and bananas while avoiding dairy, spicy foods, and alcohol until symptoms improve.
If food poisoning symptoms are severe or persist for an extended period, seeking urgent care is crucial to avoid complications. Dehydration, high fever, bloody stools, or prolonged vomiting can lead to serious health risks, especially for vulnerable groups and individuals with weakened immune systems.
Walk Into AFC Waltham for Same-Day Illness Care in Waltham, MA
If you’re experiencing symptoms of food poisoning, AFC Urgent Care Waltham is here to help. Our board-certified medical providers are trained to identify the early symptoms of common conditions like food poisoning. Seeking care early can help prevent your symptoms from worsening. Our clinic is equipped to provide supportive care and symptom management for food poisoning symptoms - all on a walk-in basis! We accept most medical insurance plans and offer affordable rates for self-paying patients. Walk-in today!
