Hey there! I recently had many readers ask about consuming raw shrimp, so I thought I’d write up this comprehensive guide. As someone who’s worked in food safety for years, I want to share everything you need to know about the risks and what to do if you accidentally eat uncooked shrimp.
Quick Answer
If you’ve eaten raw shrimp, monitor yourself for symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and fever over the next 24-72 hours. While not everyone gets sick, raw shrimp can carry harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites that may cause food poisoning. Seek medical help if you develop severe symptoms.
The Real Risks of Eating Raw Shrimp
Bacterial Infections
Raw shrimp commonly carry several nasty bacteria that can make you pretty sick:
-
Vibrio – Causes vibriosis with symptoms like:
- Watery diarrhea
- Severe stomach cramps
- Fever and chills
- Usually hits within 24 hours
- Can be dangerous for people with weak immune systems
-
Salmonella – A common culprit that leads to
- Intense abdominal pain
- Diarrhea (sometimes bloody)
- High fever
- Symptoms start 6 hours to 6 days after eating
- Can require hospitalization in severe cases
Parasitic Infections
Two main parasites to worry about
-
Anisakis worms
- Cause severe stomach pain
- Can lead to nausea and vomiting
- May require surgical removal in worst cases
-
Pseudoterranova
- Similar symptoms to Anisakis
- Can cause ongoing digestive issues
- Usually needs medical treatment
Viral Infections
Raw shrimp might carry:
-
Norovirus
- Super contagious
- Causes violent vomiting
- Diarrhea and stomach cramps
- Usually hits 12-48 hours after eating
-
Hepatitis A
- More rare but serious
- Can affect your liver
- Takes longer to show symptoms
What Should You Do If You Ate Raw Shrimp?
Immediate Steps:
- Don’t panic! Not everyone gets sick
- Write down when you ate the shrimp
- Keep the packaging if available
- Monitor yourself for symptoms
Stay Hydrated:
- Drink plenty of clear fluids
- Try electrolyte drinks
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine
- Sip water frequently even if not thirsty
Watch for These Warning Signs:
Seek immediate medical help if you experience
- Fever over 101.5°F
- Severe abdominal pain
- Bloody diarrhea
- Signs of dehydration
- Difficulty breathing
Treatment Options
Home Care:
- Rest and stay hydrated
- Try the BRAT diet:
- Bananas
- Rice
- Applesauce
- Toast
- Use over-the-counter anti-diarrheal meds if needed
Medical Treatment:
Your doctor might prescribe:
- Antibiotics for bacterial infections
- Anti-parasitic medications
- IV fluids if severely dehydrated
Prevention Tips
Safe Shopping:
- Buy from reputable sellers
- Check for proper refrigeration
- Avoid shrimp that smells fishy or ammonia-like
- Look for firm, translucent meat
Proper Storage:
- Keep below 40°F (4°C)
- Use within 2 days of purchase
- Store in sealed containers
- Keep away from other foods
Cooking Guidelines:
- Cook until flesh is completely opaque
- Internal temperature should reach 145°F (63°C)
- Never partially cook shrimp
- When in doubt, cook it longer
Special Considerations
High-Risk Groups:
- Pregnant women
- Elderly people
- Young children
- People with compromised immune systems
- Those with liver disease
These groups should be extra careful and avoid raw or undercooked shrimp completely.
My Personal Take
I’ve seen lots of folks get sick from raw shrimp over the years, and lemme tell you – it ain’t pretty! While some people might brag about eating raw shrimp with no problems, it’s really not worth the risk. Just cook your shrimp properly, and you’ll still get all the yummy flavor without playing Russian roulette with your digestive system.
When to Call Your Doctor
If you’re worried about having eaten raw shrimp, don’t hesitate to contact your healthcare provider, especially if:
- Symptoms last more than 3 days
- You can’t keep liquids down
- You have a high fever
- You see blood in your stool
- You feel extremely weak or dizzy
Remember, it’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to food safety. Keep this guide handy, and share it with friends who might need this info!
Want more food safety tips? Drop a comment below, and I’ll be happy to help! Stay safe and cook those shrimps well!
Shrimp — nutritional benefits and additional risks
Considering the risks associated with shrimp, why would you eat them?
Shrimp, like other seafood, are valuable for a healthy diet. A 3-ounce (85-gram) portion provides:
Protein: 20 grams
Energy: 95 calories.
Total fats : 1 gram
Saturated fats: 0.1 grams
Polyunsaturated fats: 0.4 grams
Shrimp provides high-quality proteins with few calories and very little saturated fat. They also provide minerals like copper, iodine, selenium, and zinc. Shellfish are good sources of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, though not as good as oily fish like herrings and sardines. Omega-3 fatty acids benefit heart health.
You should include two portions (5 ounces or 140 grams each) of fish or shellfish like shrimp a week in your diet . American diets tend to depend on red meat for protein requirements. Replacing it with seafood will reduce the saturated fats in your diet and reduce your risk of colon cancer.
Many types of fish contain mercury and other contaminants and are considered unsafe for daily consumption. Shrimp are generally safe to eat, though, and you can eat them as often as you like. Among shellfish, only brown crab meat is considered unsafe.
Fish provides nutrients for you and your baby, but you should be especially careful about infections during pregnancy. Never eat any raw seafood, and make sure that any shrimp you eat is cooked thoroughly.
Shellfish allergy is common and can cause severe reactions. Cross-allergy is also common — if youve had an allergic reaction to prawns or oysters, you should be wary of shrimps, too. Cooking shellfish doesnt reduce the possibility of allergic reactions.
Some safety measures you can take include:
Buy shrimps only from reputable sources. Shrimp harvested from unsafe waters can have high levels of contaminants. These toxins are not eliminated by cooking and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, headache , breathing difficulty, disorientation, and memory loss.
Pick up shrimp last when shopping, and go directly home to refrigerate them. Shrimp spoils rapidly outside of a refrigerator.
Opt for steaming, baking, or grilling shrimp. These methods retain the nutrients, kill bacteria and viruses, and are healthier choices than frying. Frying in oil or batter also increases the fat content of fish and shellfish.
Shrimp should be cooked until the flesh is white and opaque.
When buying shrimp, make sure it smells fresh. Rancid, fishy, sour, or ammonia smells are signs of spoiled shrimp. If your cooked shrimp smells sour, rancid, or fishy, you shouldnt eat it. Similarly, if you smell ammonia odor at all, do not eat the shrimp.
Eating raw shrimp provides you the same nutritional benefits as cooked shrimp, and you may prefer the taste. However, shrimp often carry dangerous infections, and cooking them well is crucial for safety.
Why I Stopped Eating Sushi!
FAQ
What happens if I eat undercooked shrimp?
Foodborne Illness: Undercooked shrimp can harbor harmful bacteria and viruses, such as Vibrio, Salmonella, and E. coli. Consuming undercooked shrimp increases the risk of food poisoning, which can cause symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever.
Is it ever safe to eat raw shrimp?
Although shrimp is a healthy alternative to other fish that contain high levels of mercury, it should always be cooked until it is opaque and firm.Jan 24, 2025
How long does food poisoning from undercooked shrimp last?
Norovirus disease symptoms usually begin 12 to 48 hours after consumption of infected shrimp. The illness lasts 1 to 3 days.
Can you eat raw shrimp as sushi?
The reason shrimp is recommended to be avoided raw is because much of it is farmed in questionable conditions. Wild caught deep, cold water shrimp/prawns like Spot Prawns (pink/red when raw) however, are perfectly fine raw and extremely good. You can get them live or frozen meant for raw consumption.