What kind of food poisoning comes from chicken

If chicken is on your menu, follow these tips when shopping, cooking, and eating out to help prevent food poisoning:. CDC estimates that Salmonella causes more foodborne illnesses than any other bacteria. Chicken is a major source of these illnesses. In fact, about 1 in every 25 packages of chicken external icon at the grocery store are contaminated with Salmonella. It is possible to reduce Salmonella contamination of chicken and the resulting illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths.

Learn about measures that have been shown to reduce Salmonella contamination of chicken. Read other food safety features to learn more about protecting yourself and your loved ones from food poisoning. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Food Safety. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. However, the bacteria also appear on raw chicken. Symptoms typically include diarrhea and abdominal cramps.

People do not usually experience fever or vomiting. A Clostridium perfringens infection most commonly produces symptoms within 8—12 hours and lasts for less than 24 hours. Typically, people who get a foodborne illness recover and do not suffer any long-term health problems. For some people, though, foodborne illness can lead to more serious complications and even hospitalization. A person with GBS might experience numbness, muscle weakness, pain, and problems with balance and coordination.

If a person thinks that they have eaten raw or undercooked chicken, they should wait and see whether symptoms of foodborne illness develop. According to Poison Control , if a person develops food poisoning, they should ensure that they remain hydrated. If the individual is unable to keep fluids down, they should seek medical help. People in higher risk categories might need antibiotic treatment. Those who may be at higher risk of severe illness if they develop food poisoning include:.

Typically, any symptoms of illness after eating raw chicken will resolve without the need for medical treatment. However, people should ensure that they drink plenty of fluids, especially if they experience vomiting or diarrhea. To replace fluids and electrolytes, a person can drink:. A person can use over-the-counter medications to relieve symptoms. These include loperamide Imodium , which can help ease diarrhea, and bismuth subsalicylate Pepto-Bismol , which can reduce diarrhea and nausea.

A person should seek medical help if they are unable to retain fluids. They should also seek help if they are pregnant, over 65 years of age, or have a weakened immune system. Parents or caregivers should also take children younger than 5 years to see a doctor. Otherwise, if symptoms last for more than a few days , it might be worth seeing a doctor.

The best way to avoid getting a foodborne illness from meat is to cook it well enough to destroy all harmful bacteria. During cooking, chicken meat changes color from pink to white, and its texture changes, too.

People should avoid eating pink chicken meat, as it may be undercooked and is likely to contain bacteria. A person can also use a clean meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the meat. The main causes of salmonella poisoning are eating dairy products, undercooked meat, and fresh produce that hasn't been washed well. Eating undercooked ground beef is the most common reason why people in the United States get E.

These bacteria are mostly found in unpasteurized dairy products, smoked seafood, and processed meats like hot dogs and luncheon meats. Listeria bacteria also can contaminate fruits and vegetables, although that's less common. These bacteria most commonly infect meat, poultry, and unpasteurized milk. Campylobacter also can contaminate water. As with other kinds of bacteria, these usually get into foods through contact with infected animal feces. Staphylococcus aureus. These bacteria can be found in meats, prepared salads, and foods made with contaminated dairy products.

S aureus bacteria can spread through hand contact, sneezing, or coughing. That means that people who prepare or handle food can spread the infection. Shigella bacteria can infect seafood or raw fruits and vegetables.

Most of the time the bacteria are spread when people who prepare or handle food don't wash their hands properly after using the bathroom. Hepatitis A. People mostly get this virus from eating raw shellfish or foods that were handled by someone who is infected. It can be hard to know the source of an infection because people may not get sick for 15 to 50 days afterward.

These viruses usually contaminate food that's been prepared by an infected handler. Some of these, including Listeria and E. Most cases of food poisoning don't need medical attention, but some do. The most common serious problem from food poisoning is dehydration. If you're healthy, you're not likely to get dehydrated as long as you drink enough liquids to replace what you've lost through throwing up or diarrhea. You'll also want to let your mom or dad know if you start having signs of dehydration.

These include:. If you've recently been to a foreign country and start having diarrhea or other stomach problems, it's also a good idea to call your doctor. Food poisoning especially dehydration can be more serious for people with weakened immune systems or health conditions. If you have a health condition like kidney problems or sickle cell disease , call your doctor as soon as you notice signs of food poisoning.

Pregnant women should also let their doctors know if they get food poisoning as some germs can affect the unborn child. A doctor will ask about what you have eaten recently, how long you've been sick, and what kinds of problems you're having.

The doctor will also examine you. In some cases, doctors may take a sample of your blood, stool, or pee and send it to a lab for analysis. This will help the doctor find out which microorganism is causing the illness.

Most of the time, food poisoning runs its course and people get better on their own. Occasionally, though, doctors prescribe antibiotics to treat more severe types of bacterial food poisoning.

Someone with severe dehydration may be treated in a hospital with intravenous IV fluids.