Can You Get Sick From Eating Bad Eggs?

Can you get sick from eating bad eggs?

In this brief guide, we are going to answer the question “can you get sick from eating bad eggs” with an in-depth analysis of health implications associated with the consumption of bad eggs.

So without much ado, let’s dive in and figure out more about it.

Can you get sick from eating bad eggs?

Yes, you can get sick from the consumption of bad eggs as spoiled eggs can have bacteria like Salmonella present in it. Salmonella can cause Salmonella infection and various other health issues if consumed. Salmonella infection from consuming bad eggs is associated with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever.

Moreover, the symptoms of Salmonella infection also include headaches, chills, and bloody stool.

What are the symptoms after consuming a bad egg?

You can experience the following symptoms after you consume a bad egg:

Fever
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Stomach aches and cramps
Food poisoning

According to the FDA, the symptoms of Salmonella infection appear 12 to 72 hours after the consumption of the contaminated food.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea is an indication of the body that a certain obnoxious agent has entered it. So consumption of bad eggs often causes diarrhea.

Abdominal pain

Salmonella infection is characterized by abdominal pain and cramps. Abdominal pain is also accompanied by vomiting and nausea in most cases.

Nausea and vomiting

If you have consumed an egg that has microbial growth in it then you will experience nausea and vomiting which is the natural defense of the body to get rid of the unwanted harmful substance that has entered the body.

Fever

Consuming a bad egg can also raise your body temperature and you can experience fever which is the natural defense mechanism of your body and is the indicator that something is off with your body.

It is worth mentioning that if you have accidentally eaten bad eggs and are now suffering from diarrhea and vomiting then you should try to drink as much water as possible so that while the body is getting rid of the toxins in form of diarrhea and vomiting, the water that you drink will protect your body against dehydration that vomiting can otherwise result in.

In case you are experiencing diarrhea and vomiting for about 2 days or have a fever higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit or you are having bloody stools, then you should call your doctor and seek medical help.

Certain vulnerable populations can face serious health implications on contracting Salmonella infection. They are

Elderly people especially those that are above the age of 65

Children that are aged under 5 as their immune system is weak as compared to the adults

Pregnant women

Immunocompromised people have a very weak immune system and are already suffering from diseases like HIV or the people that have recently got a transplant or have gone through surgery.

It is worth mentioning that generally symptoms of Salmonella infection last for about 4-7 days.

Thus care should be taken while storing, handling, and cooking eggs and you should consider the appearance, consistency, and smell of the eggs to reach a final verdict whether or not they are still suitable to eat.

On breaking the egg, if you notice that the egg white gets more separated from the yolk means that your egg is past its prime time. If you notice the egg whites or egg yolks have discolored (for instance pinkish egg whites) then it is better to discard such eggs as they have gone bad.

Moreover, if the egg is giving a more sulfur-like, putrid smell, then it is an indication that it has spoiled. Last but not least the egg whites of old eggs will have a thinner consistency and their egg yolks will also be flattened.

You can read about food poisoning here.

Other FAQs about Eggs which you may be interested in.

How to check if the egg is boiled?

How to flip over-easy eggs?

How long will cooked eggs last in the fridge?

How long do eggs stay fresh?

Eggs stay good for about 3-5 weeks if stored properly in the refrigerator. On the other hand, raw egg yolk lasts for about 2-4 days when stored in an air-tight container in the fridge at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Raw egg whites last for about 2-4 days when stored properly in the air-tight container in the fridge at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Tips to properly store eggs

You should always refrigerate your eggs to preserve their quality and freshness.

When breaking eggs, immediately clean the splashes of the raw egg with the help of a paper towel.

All the utensils and surfaces that come in contact with the raw eggs should be thoroughly cleaned afterward.

If you see any crack in your eggshell then it is better to discard such an egg as there are great chances that bacteria like Salmonella would have already found their way to it.

You can store your raw egg whites in an air-tight container in the fridge.

You can pour some cold water over your raw yolks before storing them in the fridge in an air-tight container.

You should never freeze your in-shell raw eggs or else they can burst in the freezer.

Conclusion

In this brief guide, we answered the question “can you get sick from eating bad eggs” with an in-depth analysis of health implications associated with the consumption of bad eggs.