Where is the best place to go for food poisoning treatment? We’ve taken the time to answer this question & here’s what AFC found!
Dalton is known for its beautiful outdoor parks, deep locomotive history, and lively downtown life. Whether you’re admiring art at Dave and Pauli’s Art Emporium or playing a round of disc golf with your family, food poisoning can strike at any time. Contaminated food is the culprit of your upset stomach, and regardless of where you got it from – now you just want relief.
Do you stop by AFC Dalton off W Walnut Ave, or head to the nearest ER? Let’s explore the symptoms of food poisoning so you can make an educated decision.
What are the Early Signs of Food Poisoning?
Almost all cases of food poisoning begin with symptoms similar to the stomach bug. This can make it sometimes tricky to properly diagnose food poisoning. Symptoms may also differ slightly depending on which germ is causing the illness or infection.
Common signs of food poisoning:
- Upset stomach
- Stomach cramps
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fever
When these symptoms worsen or do not subside after 48 hours of rest and hydration, this is a sign that the condition could be more serious. But where do you seek medical care?
Choose Urgent Care
If you’re experiencing mild to moderate signs of food poisoning, AFC Dalton can help! Our medical team is equipped to help treat and manage mild cases. Whereas, hospital emergency rooms have the staff and facilities to handle life-threatening cases.
Visit AFC if you’re experiencing:
- Mild dehydration: The biggest sign of dehydration is the inability to keep liquids down.
- Moderate pain: Our providers can prescribe medication to help relieve your discomfort as you recover naturally.
- Prolonged symptoms: Visit our clinic if your symptoms have not improved after 48-60 hours. We can assess you for potential complications or provide further care on-site.
Choose the ER
Food poisoning poses a severe risk for pregnant women, very young children, elderly persons, or those with compromised immune systems. Anyone showing signs of food poisoning within this group should seek immediate medical attention.
Additionally, anyone showing extreme signs of food poisoning should skip urgent care and go straight to the ER. Severe signs of food poisoning include:
- Bloody diarrhea: Or diarrhea that lasts more than 3 days.
- Severe dehydration: Confusion, rapid heartbeat or no urine output indicates severe dehydration.
- High fever with confusion: A temperature higher than 101.5°F combined with an altered mental status.
- Uncontrollable vomiting: Persistent vomiting or vomit containing blood.
For life-threatening cases of food poisoning, a hospital emergency room has more advanced treatment options. It’s vital that you choose the proper medical care when battling food poisoning because it could lead to more serious long-term health issues.
The Dangers of Food Poisoning
The bacterium you ingested not only dictates what symptoms you may have, but it also determines when symptoms will present themselves and whether the illness or infection will have lasting implications.
Certain types of food poisoning may lead to:
- Meningitis
- Kidney damage
- Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which also leads to kidney failure
- Arthritis
- Brain and nerve damage
Typically, people are able to recover from food poisoning at home after a few days of rest and hydration. However, those experiencing severe symptoms and high-risk individuals should take food poisoning very seriously and seek emergency medical care as soon as possible.
How Can You Prevent Food Poisoning?
Food poisoning begins with contaminated food. Most cases stem from bacteria, viruses or parasites. Therefore, your best defense is practicing proper food handling, storage and preparation. Here are our AFC recommended tips for reducing the risk of food-related illnesses and infections.
Cook foods at safe temperatures
When it comes to cooking meat, especially poultry, it must reach a designated internal temperature for safe consumption. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature. Minimum internal temperatures are as follows:
- Ground meats, 160 degrees F.
- Poultry, 165 degrees F.
- Beef, pork, veal and lamb steaks, chops and roasts, 145 degrees F.
- Fish and Shellfish, 145 degrees F.
- Eggs, 160 degrees F.
Keep food stored at safe temperatures
The general rule of thumb is to never leave food out for more than two hours. Within two hours of cooking or after it’s been removed from a warmer, refrigerate leftovers. For outdoor picnics or summertime festivities, it’s advised that food set out for only one hour. Ensure leftover food is stored in airtight packaging or tightly sealed.
Practice good hygiene
When cooking and preparing food, specifically raw meat, be sure to wash your hands regularly. Keep raw meats separate from other foods and thoroughly wash all produce before eating. Whether cooking or serving delicious dishes, keep surfaces and utensils clean to avoid cross-contamination.
Your Health Is Valuable
Whether or not you visit our urgent care clinic, the health of our community is always our top priority. AFC Dalton is a great resource for handling minor cases of food poisoning, but we understand that sometimes you need care we don’t offer.
Our providers are here to help seven days a week, so stop in whenever your medical needs are urgent, not life-threatening. Early intervention can help you recover from your case of food poisoning and prevent future complications. No matter where you get your medical care, you deserve to live a long and healthy life.
