QUESTION: We are very concerned about the chance of getting ill from eating eggs.
We would like more information about that.
We are also very curious about how the infection gets into the egg, for we always thought that everything inside of a whole egg shell would be pretty well protected.
Will you please provide us with these answers?
ANSWER: The illness you fear is brought on by an infection caused by the Salmonella enteritidis, which causes a serious condition called "gastroenteritis".
This starts about 12 to 48 hours after eating a food tainted with these bacteria, and may begin with nausea and cramp abdominal pain, followed by diarrhea, fever and sometimes vomiting.
In uncomplicated cases, it is treated symptomatically with fluids and a bland diet, antibiotics being reserved for the more serious cases.
There was a similar outbreak of this type of salmonella infection associated with chicken eggs back in the 1960's.
At that time it was felt that the infection had been spread by chicken feces on the outside of the eggs, with the bacteria penetrating into the egg itself through pores or cracks in the shell.
The rate of contamination was greatly reduced when a system of inspection, disinfection and grading of eggs was instituted by federal legislation.
Now it is felt that some of the chickens may have internal organs that are infected and that the bacteria is introduced into the egg before the shell has formed.
However, you may still eat any egg that has been properly cooked without fearing an infection.
Eggs should be boiled for seven minutes, poached for five minutes, or fried for three minutes on each side.
You may also greatly reduce any chances of infection by avoiding raw eggs, or foods made with raw eggs, and by storing your eggs properly at temperatures below 45 degrees F.
You can obtain more information about this subject in a consumer bulletin prepared by the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service entitled "Handling Eggs Safely At Home". Call the information division at (202) 447-2356 and ask them to mail you a free copy.
The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician.
Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.
