Knowing how to distinguish the symptoms of food poisoning in children will assist parents in determining the need for urgent care in Orlando, FL. Food poisoning may be harmful to children and adults, even if it only lasts a few days.
If your kid develops symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea within hours of eating and lasts for a few days, they may be suffering from food poisoning. The best thing you can do for them is to make sure they get enough rest to recuperate.
Below are some food poisoning symptoms to watch out for in children and suggestions for seeking medical attention.
How Do You Define Food Poisoning?
Food poisoning is a common condition. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one out of six Americans gets food poisoning every year. Eating contaminated food is the most prevalent cause of food-borne disease.
Different forms of bacteria, viruses, and toxins can cause food poisoning, including:
- Shigella
- Hepatitis A
- Salmonella
- E. coli 0157
- Norwalk Virus
- Bacillus Cereus
- Campylobacter
- Staphylococcus Aureus
- Clostridium Perfringens + Botulinum
When you consume food infected with one of the microorganisms listed above, harmful poisons are released into your system, causing symptoms including vomiting and diarrhea.
What Are the Symptoms of Food Poisoning?
The earliest signs of food poisoning in children might develop within hours after eating. Various bacteria and poisons induce several symptoms, resulting in vomiting and diarrhea.
Symptoms of food poisoning include:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Headache
- Upset stomach
- Low-grade fever
- Overall weakness
- Cramps in the lower abdomen
Never hesitate to take your little one to a kid’s urgent care if you suspect they have food poisoning.
How Long Does a Child’s Food Poisoning Last?
In most cases, food-borne sickness improves in one to ten days with little or no treatment. If your child’s symptoms do not improve, your physician may prescribe medicine to assist the body in fighting the illness.
The amount of time it takes for your child to recover from food poisoning is determined by several things. It includes the sort of bacterium or virus they were exposed to, how much of it they consumed, and how severe their symptoms were. Most of the time, your child will be back to a normal state in a day or two without the need for medical attention.
When Should You Take Your Child to the Doctor?
Seek medical help right away if your child’s state has not improved after twenty-four hours or if you observe any of these indicators:
- Muscle twitching
- Distorted eyesight
- Breathing difficulties
- Bloody stools or vomit
- Tingling sensations in the limbs
- Vomiting for more than twelve hours
- Temperature of more than 101 degrees Fahrenheit
If your child isn’t drinking fluids and displays signs of dehydration, you may need to bring them to the hospital for IV fluids. This will help to replace electrolytes like salt and potassium, as well as lost fluids.
Dehydration can cause the following symptoms:
- Dry mouth
- Sunken eyes
- Severe thirst
- Lack of energy
- Dry and cool skin
- Dark-colored urine
- Infrequent urination
Conclusion
If your child experiences food poisoning and has not improved after twenty-four hours, make sure to check in with urgent care for kids in Orlando, FL. These medical professionals can treat food poisoning and alleviate symptoms in children.
Your Kids Urgent Care serves as the intermediary between a child’s primary care physician and the Emergency Room. If you need kid’s urgent care in Orlando, FL, make sure to contact us today!