Food poisoning symptoms
The symptoms of food poisoning vary depending on what’s causing the infection. Generally, people with mild food poisoning experience:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Frequent diarrhea
- Stomach pain and cramps
- Fever
- Symptoms of dehydration, including headache, dry mouth and fatigue
When to seek urgent medical care
Serious cases of food poisoning can lead to organ damage and life-threatening dehydration.
Call 911 or visit the emergency room for these symptoms:
- Fever higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit
- Seizures or muscle cramps
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Confusion
- Vision changes
- Dizziness
- Change or loss of consciousness
- Severe diarrhea and vomiting, which may be bloody or very dark
Preventing and treating food poisoning
Food poisoning typically resolves on its own within 1 to 10 days. If rest and fluids don’t help, our urgent care providers may treat dehydration with:
- Electrolytes for severe dehydration
- Antibiotics for severe food poisoning caused by bacteria
- Monitoring for complications to provide prompt intervention
You can help prevent foodborne illnesses by handling food properly. Follow these tips to prevent food poisoning:
- Wash fruits and vegetables before eating them.
- Throw away expired food and food that looks or smells bad.
- Clean and dry kitchen surfaces used to handle raw meat, seafood and eggs.
- Heat foods to their proper temperature.
- Throw out foods that have been unrefrigerated for more than two hours.