10 Signs You Have Food Poisoning: Common Causes & Signs You Should Go to the ER
It may not be surprising to find out that cases of food poisoning are actually quite common, with it being reported that approximately 10,000 people in the U.S alone die from food poisoning every year, with lots more coming down with it, with some ending up in emergency rooms all over the country. Food poisoning, which is also called foodborne illness, is caused by eating food that is contaminated and can be caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites in the food. The severity one’s condition, as well as the symptoms they will present with, depends on the kind of parasite, bacteria or virus that was in the food and has infected them, how much of the infecting organism is in their system as well as how strong your immune system is and as such how well it is fighting off the infection. This is why cases of food poisoning can be mild to moderate or could be severe and even life-threatening hence needing a visit to the emergency room. This article will look to highlight 10 signs that should mean that you need to head over to an emergency room as soon as possible for food poisoning.
One of the signs that should be a cue for you to head over to an emergency room as soon as possible is if you are having persistent vomiting and are finding it impossible to keep fluids down. If you find that you are vomiting every time you try to take in fluids, then that should mean that you need to head over to the emergency room as soon as possible for assessment and treatment.
Another sign that you need to go to the ER as soon as you can for food poisoning is if you have been experiencing diarrhea that has lasted for more than 2 days. You may have decided to deal with your bout of food poisoning at home, but if the diarrhea you are experiencing due to your food poisoning is persistent for more than 2 days and isn’t getting better, then you should head over to an ER as soon as possible and seek treatment to prevent severe dehydration from ensuing as per the subject matter experts over at frontlineer.com
Another sign that should signal that it is time to head over to an ER for food poisoning is if the diarrhea is in a newborn or an infant. In such a cases, you should not wait for a couple of days as you would do with an adult, but you should take them to an ER as soon as possible to be attended to. This is because the immune system of newborns and infants is still not fully developed and as such no chances should be taken if they are presenting with diarrhea.
Speaking of signs to head over to the ER for food poisoning, another one is if one is presenting with severe pain or severe abdominal cramping due to their food poisoning. Abdominal pain and cramps are usually part of food poisoning, however if the pain and abdominal cramping is extreme and unbearable, you should ensure you head over to an ER, such as the excellent frontlineer.com, to be attended to as soon as you can.
Another classical symptom as far as food poisoning is concerned is fever. However, if one is presenting with high fever due to food poisoning, that is the fever is higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit, then that is a sign that they need to visit and emergency room as soon as possible for treatment. In baby younger than three months, if they are recording a rectal temperature reading of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit and above, they should also be taken to an ER.
Yet another sign that one needs to head over to an emergency room for food poisoning, with frontlineer.com being the best out there, is if one is presenting with symptoms of severe dehydration. These include a dry mouth, extreme thirst, little or no urination, dizzy spells and lightheadedness, inelastic skin, severe weakness, sunken eyes among others.
Another sign that you should head over to an ER due to food poisoning is if you are experiencing breathing problems. Difficulties breathing should always be taken seriously and this shouldn’t be an exception in cases of food poisoning.
Speaking of difficulties, another sign that you should head over to an ER for food poisoning is if you are experiencing difficulties swallowing. As per the gurus over at frontlineer.com, this should always be taken very seriously.
If one is presenting with neurological symptoms such as muscle weakness, a tingling sensation in the arms or even blurry vision among others as a result of food poisoning, then this is yet another sign that you need to head over to an ER as soon as possible to be attended to.
Another sign that you need to head over to an ER for food poisoning is if one is vomiting blood or there is blood in their stool, or their stool is black and tarry. This is yet another symptom that should always be taken very seriously.
The above are 10 signs that you need to go to the ER as far as food poisoning is concerned, with there being more on this and other related topic to be found over at the ever reliable frontlineer.com.
