Question 1

what is the chance i will get sick from eating a raw oyster?

Accepted Answer

1 in a million: Twenty million americans consume raw shellfish like clams and oysters each year.  Shellfish are filter feeders that pick up and concentrate bacteria, like vibrio, from the surrounding seawater.  Bacteria concentrations, and the risk or infection, is higher in warmer months.  Only cooking will destroy the bacteria. There are approximately 20 vibrio vulnificans infections each year, half are fatal.

Question 2

ate raw oysters and got sick, is this toxoplasmosis?

Accepted Answer

No: You get toxo from undercooked meat, not oysters. You can get enteric infections (infectious diarrhea) or hepatitis a from oysters.

Question 3

before i knew i was pregnant i ate raw fish, oysters,  deli meats, i was never sick, but how and when do i know if baby was affected by listeria?

Accepted Answer

Should be fine: If you never became ill, then it is unlikely that you were ever infected with listeriosis.

Question 4

raw oyster safe? been eating oyster all my life&no issues, saw news re people die from oyster. if im healthy&have no disease,am i at risk with vibro?

Accepted Answer

Yes and no: Raw oysters occasionally carry a risk of hepatitis but this complication is not common.

Question 5

eaten raw oyster all my life &always fine. heard news about people die after eating them. scared. i have no disease or complication. is it safe?

Accepted Answer

Should be...: Unless you by raw on your own! Most restaurants have secure providers, so the risk is almost null. Hepatis viruses are the most common worry, but do not be frightened! Oysters are very high in nutrition!

Question 6

are raw oysters dangerous to eat, even if you hot sauce on them? what medical conditions would make a person not be allowed to eat raw oysters?

Accepted Answer

Don't eat them..: Raw sea food is dangerous anyhow.
Hot sauce will not do anything against bacteria.
Also, since you are allergic to other foods, you may very well be allergic to sea food also. Nowadays, with all sea pollution it is not safe to eat raw sea food.
Stop diet sodas.Also bad for you!

Question 7

50 yr old. have eaten raw oysters on the half shell at same restaurant for past 30 years. now on enbrel (etanercept) for ra. any need to change my habit?

Accepted Answer

No official warning: There should be no problem unless they are contaminated with infectious agents  like vibrio. That is the risk and many coastal rheumatologists recommend complete avoidance.

Question 8

what makes me sick when i eat fish, but i can eat crab, lobster, shrimp and oysters.. i can touch and be around fish?

Accepted Answer

May be fish allergy: You may have an allergy to finned fish.  Finned fish have different proteins then crustaceans and mollusks.  In addition, you may have noticed that you tolerate some finned fish but not others.  Symptoms of  fish allergy may include nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, hives or other swelling, and difficulty breathing within a short period, usually less than an hour, after eating the food.

Question 9

can i eat raw oysters and sushi while breast-feeding, as long as it is not a high mercury fish, without any risk to my baby?

Accepted Answer

: Raw seafood can contain bacteria which can be harmful to a breastfeeding mom and her baby. Chief among these is Listeria which can actually be transmitted through breastmilk to the baby. This is typically not a problem in high quality restaurants which take many precautions with their fish. Since there are many restaurants in the gray area, it may be better to avoid raw seafood while breastfeeding

Question 10

i got sick (vomit + diarrhea) after eating oysters last friday. this lasted 24 hours. the nausea is still severe now though - on tue. concerned?

Accepted Answer

Vibrio vulnificus: The major risk here is infection with halophilic (salt-loving) vibrio species. This is a curved bacteria that like vibrio parahemolyticus (the most common cause of food borne gastroenteritis in japan), can do the same in the usa, but in people who may have high levels of serum iron they can develop life-threatening sepsis.  If your illness continues over the next several days see a doctor.

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Doctor answers about:

What is the chance I will get sick from eating a raw oyster

A member asked:

What is the chance i will get sick from eating a raw oyster?

A member asked:

Ate raw oysters and got sick, is this toxoplasmosis?

A member asked:

Before i knew i was pregnant i ate raw fish, oysters, deli meats, i was never sick, but how and when do i know if baby was affected by listeria?

A member asked:

Raw oyster safe? been eating oyster all my life&no issues, saw news re people die from oyster. if im healthy&have no disease,am i at risk with vibro?

A member asked:

Eaten raw oyster all my life &always fine. heard news about people die after eating them. scared. i have no disease or complication. is it safe?

A member asked:

Are raw oysters dangerous to eat, even if you hot sauce on them? what medical conditions would make a person not be allowed to eat raw oysters?

A member asked:

50 yr old. have eaten raw oysters on the half shell at same restaurant for past 30 years. now on enbrel (etanercept) for ra. any need to change my habit?

A member asked:

What makes me sick when i eat fish, but i can eat crab, lobster, shrimp and oysters.. i can touch and be around fish?

A member asked:

Can i eat raw oysters and sushi while breast-feeding, as long as it is not a high mercury fish, without any risk to my baby?

A member asked:

I got sick (vomit + diarrhea) after eating oysters last friday. this lasted 24 hours. the nausea is still severe now though - on tue. concerned?

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