What Are the Symptoms of Food Poisoning?
Few illnesses are quite as miserable as food poisoning – the condition that can occur if you digest food that is infected with viruses, bacteria, parasites, or their toxins. Food poisoning symptoms can vary from person to person, but often include:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal discomfort
- Fatigue
- Fever
Many people begin to feel ill a few hours after eating contaminated food. In some cases, food poisoning symptoms may not develop until days or even weeks later. The duration of symptoms can range from several hours to a few days.
Should I go to the doctor?
Food poisoning will make you want to crawl in bed and stay near a bathroom, but it doesn’t always require a visit to your doctor. Most people can ride out the illness by getting plenty of rest and staying hydrated. However, you should promptly seek professional medical care if you:
- Notice signs of dehydration, including dry mouth, weakness, dizziness, and infrequent urination
- Cannot keep liquids down for an extended period of time
- Have diarrhea for more than a few days
- Have blood in your vomit or stool
Food poisoning treatment at Fast Track Urgent Care
Fast Track Urgent Care provides walk-in food poisoning treatment to adults and children every day on a walk-in basis. Led by physicians with backgrounds in emergency medicine, our locations in Silver Spring and Kensington, Maryland, are fully equipped and have extended hours, even on the weekends. We can provide IV fluids to address dehydration, help reduce nausea, and prescribe antibiotics if necessary.
