Why Food Poisoning is So Dangerous

Food poisoning may seem like a minor inconvenience but can quickly turn into a grave illness. What starts as a few hours of nausea and discomfort can quickly escalate into severe dehydration, organ damage, or even long-term health complications. In extreme cases, foodborne illnesses like E. coli, salmonella, or listeria can lead to hospitalization or death.

These effects can be particularly devastating for vulnerable groups like children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems. When food poisoning occurs due to negligence, whether by a restaurant, food manufacturer, or distributor, it’s critical to take action to protect your health and hold those responsible accountable.

Food poisoning can cause unpleasant symptoms and lead to major complications.

What are the symptoms of food poisoning?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists the following symptoms of food poisoning:

• Diarrhea
• Stomach pain or cramps
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fever

They note that you should see a doctor if you have severe symptoms, including:

• Bloody diarrhea
• Diarrhea that lasts more than three days
• High fever (over 102 degrees)
• Vomiting so often you can’t keep liquids down
• Signs of dehydration, including not urinating, a dry mouth and throat, and feeling dizzy when you stand up

What are the complications of food poisoning?

Many people may only suffer mild symptoms after food poisoning. However, the CDC states that “some infections spread by food are serious or even life-threatening.” Some illnesses can lead to other health problems, like:

• Dehydration. Since food poisoning can cause vomiting and diarrhea, you might lose a lot of fluids. This can lead to dehydration, making you feel weak, dizzy, and really thirsty.
• Kidney problems. In severe cases, food poisoning can damage your kidneys. This is especially true if you have a type of food poisoning called E. coli. It can cause a condition called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can lead to kidney failure.
• Chronic digestive issues. Some people might develop long-term digestive problems after having food poisoning. This could include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or even food intolerances.
• Infections: In rare cases, bacteria from food poisoning can get into your bloodstream and spread to other parts of your body. This can lead to serious infections in places like your joints or bones.
• Severe illness in vulnerable people. For older adults, young children, pregnant women, or people with weakened immune systems, food poisoning can be life-threatening. These groups are more likely to have serious complications like sepsis, which is a life-threatening infection.

To avoid these complications, it’s important to stay hydrated, rest, and seek medical help if symptoms are severe or last more than a few days.

What is the treatment for food poisoning?

If you have food poisoning, the main focus is usually on letting your body heal and staying hydrated. Here are some common treatments:

• Rest and fluids. The most important thing is to rest and drink plenty of fluids. Water, clear broths, or electrolyte drinks can help replace fluids lost from vomiting and diarrhea. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, as they can make dehydration worse.
• Eat bland foods. Once you feel like eating again, start with bland, easy-to-digest foods like toast, rice, bananas, or applesauce. Avoid spicy, fatty, or dairy-rich foods until you feel better.
• Medications for symptoms. Over-the-counter medications like anti-nausea or antidiarrheal drugs might help with symptoms. But if the food poisoning is caused by bacteria like E. coli or salmonella, it’s best to avoid anti-diarrheals because they can slow down your body’s ability to get rid of the bacteria.
• Antibiotics: A doctor might prescribe antibiotics in some cases, especially with bacterial food poisoning. However, they’re not used for all types of food poisoning. Viral food poisoning, for example, doesn’t respond to antibiotics.
• Medical help for severe cases. You should see a doctor if symptoms are severe, such as constant vomiting, high fever, or signs of dehydration like dry mouth or dizziness. They might give you IV fluids to help with dehydration or recommend other treatments depending on the cause of the food poisoning.

Most cases of food poisoning clear up within a few days, but if your symptoms are getting worse, are prolonged, or you’re in a high-risk group, getting medical attention is important.

How can your Maryland personal injury attorneys help?

Our Maryland personal injury attorneys can be a big help if you’ve suffered from food poisoning or any other injury. Here’s how we can support you:

• Investigating the source. We can help figure out where the food poisoning came from, whether it was a restaurant, grocery store, or food manufacturer. Gathering evidence, like receipts, medical reports, or witness statements, is key to building your case.
• Filing a claim. If you were seriously affected by food poisoning, you may be able to file a claim to recover damages. This could include medical bills, lost wages, and even compensation for the pain and suffering you’ve gone through.
• Negotiating with insurance companies. Dealing with insurance companies can be tricky. Our attorneys handle negotiations to make sure you get a fair settlement and aren’t taken advantage of by insurance adjusters.
• Taking legal action. If the responsible party doesn’t agree to a fair settlement, our attorneys are ready to take your case to court. We’ll fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
• Offering guidance. We know the legal process can be confusing, but we’ll be with you every step of the way. We can explain your rights, answer your questions, and make sure you understand all your options.

In short, we’ll handle the legal side of things so you can focus on getting better.

If you or a loved one has suffered harm due to food poisoning, the attorneys at Plaxen Adler Muncy can help. We can provide experienced legal advice on how to move forward with your case. Simply call or submit our contact form to schedule your free case evaluation at one of our offices across Maryland today.