Food Poisoning In Summer: When You Should Visit The ER?

What Is Food Poisoning and What are The Risks During Summer?

Due to outdoor cooking and increased travel, foodborne illnesses are more common during warmer months. It’s important to understand what food poisoning is and its associated symptoms.

Food poisoning happens after you consume contaminated food or drink that contains harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites, or chemicals. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, and dehydration.

While some cases of food poisoning resolve on their own within a few days, severe cases can lead to hospitalization or even death. Visit an emergency room near you immediately to avoid any further complications.

During the summer months, there are several specific risks for food poisoning. Outdoor barbecues and picnics increase the chances of undercooked meat or cross-contamination from raw meat juices. Fresh produce can also be a source of contamination if not washed properly. Additionally, traveling to new destinations increases the likelihood of exposure to unfamiliar foods and potential contaminants.

Following safe food handling practices like washing hands frequently, cooking meats to appropriate temperatures, and storing perishable items is crucial.

Warning Signs Food Poisoning

• Upset stomach

The first sign is usually an upset stomach – this could mean anything from mild discomfort to severe pain.

It’s important to stay hydrated and avoid foods irritating your system. Stick to bland, easy-to-digest foods like toast, crackers, and soup until your symptoms improve. If your condition worsens or lasts longer than a few days, visit an ER.

• Diarrhea

Another common warning sign of food poisoning is diarrhea. This can range from loose stools to more severe symptoms, like watery diarrhea or bloody stool. In addition to these digestive issues, you may also experience a fever, headache, body aches, and chills. These symptoms often indicate an infection in your gastrointestinal tract caused by consuming contaminated food or drink.

• Nausea

If you start to feel queasy or have an upset stomach shortly after eating, it could be a sign that something wasn’t quite right with your meal. Nausea can vary in severity, ranging from mild discomfort to feeling like you need to vomit.

•  Dehydration

One of the major warning signs of food poisoning is dehydration. This happens when your body loses more fluids than it takes in, leading to a lack of water and electrolytes that are essential for proper bodily function. Dehydration can cause extreme thirst, dry mouth and throat, fatigue, dizziness or lightheadedness, dark-colored urine, and even confusion or irritability in severe cases.

ER treatment for Complex Symptoms

When you arrive at the ER, doctors will assess your condition and may administer treatments such as fluids through an IV or medications to control nausea and vomiting. It’s also possible that they’ll need to run tests on your blood, urine, or stool samples to determine the cause of your food poisoning.

Rehydration is the first step in treating blood in the stool, diarrhea, severe dehydration, blurred vision, and dizziness. This can be done through intravenous fluids or oral rehydration solutions. Depending on the cause of these symptoms, medications may be prescribed to help treat them.

In addition to seeking medical help for serious symptoms, staying hydrated is important by drinking plenty of water and electrolyte-rich fluids. Resting as much as possible will also give your body time to heal. And if you notice blurred vision or dizziness, don’t hesitate to get medical help. These symptoms could indicate more serious complications from food poisoning, such as dehydration or organ failure.

When Should You Visit The ER For Food Poisoning?

While many cases of food poisoning can be treated at home, there are times when visiting the emergency room for food poisoning medical treatment is necessary. If you experience severe symptoms such as high fever, blood in your vomit or stool, severe abdominal pain, or signs of dehydration like decreased urination, lightheadedness, and rapid heartbeat, visit an emergency room in Houston.

Untreated food poisoning can lead to kidney failure or even death. Therefore, if you’re experiencing any alarming symptoms that suggest something more than just mild food poisoning, don’t hesitate to visit the ER. Remember that prompt medical attention can make all the difference in your recovery, so stay vigilant and take care of yourself.

Conclusion

Food poisoning is a serious issue that can occur during the summer for various reasons, and it is important to know the common causes and warning signs. However, visit Memorial Heights Emergency Center if you experience food poisoning symptoms.