Foodborne Illnesses

‘Tis the season to get together and share meals with friends and family, but be careful about foodborne illnesses that can land you in your Sugar Land emergency clinic. In most cases, food poisoning will cause mild symptoms that will clear up on their own. Unfortunately, some cases are more severe and cause approximately 3,000 deaths per year. Therefore, it’s important to know the signs you should visit your Sugar Land emergency clinic for severe food poisoning. Additionally, learn how to help prevent foodborne illnesses as you whip up holiday dinners for those you love.

Signs You Should Visit Your Sugar Land Emergency Clinic for Foodborne Illness

Food poisoning can cause many symptoms, generally abdominal cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea. These symptoms usually go away on their own with time, rest, and plenty of fluids.

However, you may need to visit your Sugar Land emergency clinic for severe food poisoning. A common complication of foodborne illness is dehydration, which can be life threatening. Additionally, Listeria bacteria can be particularly harmful for pregnant women, as it can cause pregnancy complications, including premature labor, miscarriage, and stillbirth, even if symptoms aren’t severe. Another common cause of food poisoning is the bacteria E. Coli. This harmful bacteria can cause a condition called hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can lead to kidney failure. Therefore, if you think you’re experiencing severe food poisoning or complications, visit your Sugar Land emergency clinic for treatment.

Some signs that your food poisoning may be a Sugar Land emergency include:

• Frequent vomiting
• You’re unable to keep liquids down
• Blood in your vomit or stool
• Diarrhea for more than three days
• Extreme abdominal pain
• Fever over 101.5° F
• Dehydration symptoms including:
  • Extreme thirst
  • Dry mouth
  • Little or no urination
  • Weakness
  • Dizziness
  • Lightheadedness
• Neurological symptoms like:
  • Blurry vision
  • Muscle weakness
  • Tingling in the arms

If you notice these symptoms, it’s important to get to your Sugar Land emergency clinic as soon as possible. They can be signs of something more serious.

Preventing Foodborne Illnesses this Holiday Season

Luckily, properly cooking your food can kill most of the harmful pathogens that cause foodborne illnesses. Therefore, as you prepare for family meals, ensure you prepare your food properly. Here are some tips for food safety to prevent foodborne illness:

• Don’t defrost food at room temperature, defrost in the refrigerator, microwave, or a cool water bath.
• Cook foods thoroughly and use a food thermometer to make sure they reach safe internal temperatures before serving.
• Use pasteurized eggs for recipes that require raw eggs, such as eggnog, cream pies, hollandaise sauces, and royal icing.
• Refrigerate or freeze perishable foods within two hours.
• Eat or throw away left overs within three to five days unless they are frozen.

These tips, along with frequent hand washing and keeping cooked and uncooked foods separate, can help you practice food safety this holiday season. However, if you are feeling unwell, don’t hesitate to come in to your Sugar Land 24 hour emergency room for medical care.

At St. Michael’s Elite Hospital, we provide quick, advanced care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our team has the same training and equipment as a traditional emergency room, but with wait times of typically 5 minutes or less! When you need medical care, visit St. Michael’s Elite Hospital and give us a call at (281) 980-4357 to let us know you’re on the way. We’re here to help you feel better.