You’re curled up on the couch, feeling miserable. Your stomach is churning, and you can’t keep anything down. Is this just a bad case of food poisoning, or something more serious?
Urgent care can be your best friend during these tough moments. Our team understands how awful food poisoning feels and knows exactly how to help you get back on your feet.
What Exactly Is Food Poisoning?
Not only is food poisoning a widespread condition that can affect anyone, anywhere, but health authorities also know it can lead to severe complications and even death.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that at least 48 million Americans—about 1 in 6—get sick from food each year. Of these, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die.
Common indicators are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. These can begin anywhere from a few hours to several days after ingesting tainted food. Most cases clear up on their own, but some can turn life-threatening—especially to the young, the old, or anyone with a weakened immune system.
Signs You Need Urgent Care for Food Poisoning
Let us dissect it. Not every instance of food poisoning necessitates swift medical care, yet certain symptoms absolutely do. These are the clear and present dangers that should send one scurrying to a healthcare provider.
- Constant fever above 101.5°F
- Stools with blood in them
- Severe lack of hydration
- Intense pain in the abdomen
- No ability to keep liquids down for one full day
You may be asking yourself, “When is it appropriate to be concerned?” If you have these indicators, it’s the right moment to see urgent care. Prolonged sickness can lead to dangerous complications such as electrolyte imbalances or even more serious infections.
How Urgent Care Diagnoses Food Poisoning?
A detailed medical history and a physical examination are the basis of our work. We take them seriously and use them to guide us into the next diagnostic steps. Following these steps, we might recommend–depending on your symptoms–one or more of the following:
- Testing samples of stool
- Checking blood tests for indications of infection
- Potentially administering panels of electrolytes
We aim to provide a fast and precise diagnosis so that you can begin your recovery without delay.
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Treatment Options at Urgent Care
This is what it signifies for you: therapy hones in on symptoms and the management thereof. We focus on keeping you untroubled and preventing any situation from deteriorating into something harder to manage. Our main tools are:
- Replenish lost bodily fluids by intravenous (IV) hydration.
- Administer anti-nausea medications.
- Replace electrolyte losses.
- Administer potential antibiotics for specific bacterial infections.
Before beginning or halting any treatment, it is essential to seek the advice of a medical expert.
Prevention Tips from Medical Professionals
It is better to prevent than to treat. We offer the following recommendations:
- Prepare meats to a well-done stage of cooking.
- Clean hands and surfaces often.
- Store foods that spoil quickly in the fridge.
- Keep foods that should not mix apart while prepping.
- Be careful when handling foods that might be raw or not completely done.
To get the most accurate advice about your symptoms or prevention strategies, we recommend that you visit our clinic location in Houston and speak directly with a healthcare professional. They are trained to provide you with the information you need.
Food poisoning can’t be comfortable. But with the right professional medical support, you can make a smoother and safer recovery.
Conclusion
Food poisoning is miserable, but you’re not alone. Our team is ready to help you recover quickly and safely.
If symptoms are severe or include high fever, extreme dehydration, or bloody stools, always seek immediate emergency care. Don’t suffer alone. Insight Urgent Care is here to help you feel better fast.
