Never, Ever Wash Raw Chicken at Home. Here’s Why.

by DailyHealthPost Editorial

don't wash raw chicken

Other Sources of Contamination

raw meat

Campylobacter can be found in animals other than birds, raw milk, or anything contaminated with the bacteria, including untreated water. They can be spread not only through ingestion but close contact from animals (including pets) to people and from people to people.

Most people who become infected can ride out the sickness but those whose immune systems are compromised can suffer more severe complications. There is no cure or treatment for campylobacteriosis but, as with any food poisoning, hydration is important.

Clear fluids will help flush out the germs and keep you from becoming dehydrated; in advanced cases of dehydration, hospitalization may be necessary for intravenous rehydration. Severe dehydration has its own set of difficulties.

Here’s a video with people talking about the real life effects of food poisoning bug known as campylobacter:

The truth about campylobacter (full version)

Better Safe Than Sorry

Other than putting your food under a microscope, there is no way to tell if it is contaminated with campylobacter—it will look and smell normal.

Safe food handling is your best bet to protect yourself from getting sick: keep clean surfaces for food preparation, keep raw animal products segregated from other foods, and cook foods from animals completely.

And, of course, wash your hands with hot soapy water before and after handling food and when switching from the preparation of one food to another. There is no need to use antibacterial soap; regular soap works fine. As a matter of fact, the use of antibacterial soap in general causes more harm than good and should be avoided.

So while the bacterium is not new, advice for how to avoid spreading it is.

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