If you eat raw oysters, you are at risk of developing food poisoning. Raw oysters can carry vibrio vulnificus, a contaminate that is transferred in seawater. You can avoid food poisoning by thoroughly cooking oysters before eating them. If you eat raw oysters and feel sick to your stomach, call your doctor for further evaluation to prevent complications. If you develop symptoms aside from digestive upset, you may have a shellfish allergy.
Identification
Food poisoning is a medical condition that transpires when you ingest a food or beverage that is contaminated. This condition affects more than 6 million people a year, according to the University of Maryland Medical Clinic. After eating contaminated raw oysters, symptoms may occur within 4 to 36 hours. Food poisoning is more common during the summer months because food is more difficult to keep cool.
Risk Factors
You are considered at greater risk if you are very young or elderly. Other factors that can increase your risk of getting food poisoning after eating raw oysters include: traveling, a weakened immune system, being pregnant, taking certain medications such as steroids, antihistamines or antibiotics or having been diagnosed with chronic kidney failure, diabetes or liver disease. Pregnant women are advised to not eat shellfish.
Symptoms
Symptoms of food poisoning from eating raw oysters include: nausea, vomiting, watery diarrhea, stomach cramping, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, fever and fatigue, according to MayoClinic.com. You may experience symptoms from 1 to 10 days after eating the contaminated raw oysters. You need to see your doctor immediately if you see vomit in your blood or have severe diarrhea for more than three days, consistent vomiting, blood in your stool, severe abdominal pain, a body temperature higher than 101.5 degrees or signs of dehydration.
Allergy Consideration
Symptom from food poisoning exclusively affect your digestive system. If you develop symptoms such as facial swelling, hives, difficulty breathing, nasal congestion or your throat closing up, you may have an allergy to oysters. A shellfish allergy can lead to anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that could lead to death. If you're unable to breathe, experience a rapid heart rate or become mentally confused after eating oysters, call 911 immediately.
