What Happens If You Eat a Bad Egg?
Eating a bad egg you can cause food poisoning and symptoms such as stomach cramps, fever, vomiting and diarrhea, according to the National Institutes of Health. A bad egg can be either a spoiled or contaminated egg. The bacterium that can contaminate eggs is called Salmonella Enteritidis.
Salmonella and Food Poisoning
Salmonella can exist inside normal and unbroken eggs. Likewise, eggs that are left out in warm temperatures can spoil and harbor this bacterium. Because warm temperatures can cause this bacterium to multiply, eggs should be kept refrigerated. To avoid food poisoning, no one should eat undercooked or unpasteurized eggs.
Symptom Duration and Treatment
When people eat raw or undercooked eggs, they can get sick and experience symptoms within 12 to 72 hours after eating them. The symptoms can last between 4 to 7 days. Because symptoms can cause dehydration, a person may need oral rehydration solutions, according to MedlinePlus.
Although most people recover, people with severe diarrhea may need hospitalization. Young children and the elderly, who are at a higher risk of getting food poisoning, may also require hospitalization for severe symptoms.
Severe symptoms can include bloody stool, an extremely high fever and persistent diarrhea or vomiting, especially in children. If consumption of spoiled or contaminated eggs is suspected and a person experiences any of these symptoms or complications, seek medical attention for proper treatment.
