Can You Get Chlamydia from Eating Salmon? The Facts Explained
Salmon is one of the most nutritious and delicious fish available. However, some people have concerns that eating raw or undercooked salmon may transmit infections like chlamydia. I want to clear up this misconception and explain why you absolutely cannot get chlamydia or any other sexually transmitted disease (STD) from salmon or other fish.
What is Chlamydia and How is it Spread?
First, let’s review what exactly chlamydia is. Chlamydia is a common bacterial sexually transmitted infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. It often presents no symptoms but can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and other complications if left untreated
Chlamydia is exclusively spread through sexual contact with an infected partner. Specifically, exposure occurs through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. In rare cases, it may be transmitted to a newborn baby during childbirth if the mother has chlamydia.
Importantly, chlamydia cannot be casually transmitted through everyday contact, food, water, or other means. You absolutely cannot get it from consuming fish like salmon.
Salmonella and Other Foodborne Illnesses
Eating raw or undercooked fish does carry a small risk of foodborne illnesses like salmonella. However, salmonella and chlamydia are completely different types of infections.
Salmonella is a bacteria that may be present on raw chicken, fish, eggs, and some produce. Eating food contaminated with salmonella can cause vomiting, fever, and diarrhea. Properly cooking foods destroys any potential salmonella present.
But salmonella has no connection at all to sexually transmitted chlamydia. You cannot get any STD from eating fish or other foods, cooked or raw.
Why the Confusion?
Some speculate this misconception comes from the similar sounding names of “salmon” and “salmonella”. Others note confusion between the various ways diseases spread.
While it’s true that foodborne illnesses can be transmitted through ingestion, STDs have very specific methods of transmission that do not include casual contact or eating.
The takeaway is that chlamydia can only be spread through intimate sexual contact with an infected partner. You cannot get chlamydia or any other STD from eating fish.
Enjoy Salmon Safely
When properly handled, salmon provides great nutritional benefits. To safely enjoy salmon:
- Purchase sushi-grade fish from reputable sellers
- Store raw salmon below 40°F
- Avoid cross-contaminating work surfaces
- Wash hands before and after handling
- Cook to an internal temperature of 145°F
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours
Pregnant women, young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems should avoid raw fish because of infection risks. But following basic food safety rules allows everyone to gain the healthy omega-3s and lean protein salmon provides.
While chlamydia rates remain high, the only way to contract it is through unprotected sex with an infected partner. You’ll gain nothing but vital nutrients and delicious flavor from cooked salmon.
Conclusion
Practicing safe sex and following fish prep best practices lets you gain the health benefits of salmon without worry. Salmon provides great protein, omega-3s, and antioxidants when safely handled.
So go ahead and enjoy your wild Alaskan salmon, seared ahi tuna steak, or sushi from your local chef. Just leave any chlamydia worries behind and dig in!
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- 1 National Centre for Marine Conservation and Resource Sustainability, University of Tasmania, Locked Bag 1370, Launceston, Tasmania 7250, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected].
- 2 Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, 60 Musk Avenue, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia; Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia.
- 3 National Centre for Marine Conservation and Resource Sustainability, University of Tasmania, Locked Bag 1370, Launceston, Tasmania 7250, Australia.
- 1 National Centre for Marine Conservation and Resource Sustainability, University of Tasmania, Locked Bag 1370, Launceston, Tasmania 7250, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected].
- 2 Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, 60 Musk Avenue, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia; Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia.
- 3 National Centre for Marine Conservation and Resource Sustainability, University of Tasmania, Locked Bag 1370, Launceston, Tasmania 7250, Australia.
- Vet Microbiol. 2014 Jun 25;171(1-2):257
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How do you get chlamydia? Myths vs Facts!
FAQ
FAQ
Do salmon fish carry chlamydia?
Characterization of “Candidatus Piscichlamydia salmonis” (Order Chlamydiales), a Chlamydia-Like Bacterium Associated With Epitheliocystis in Farmed Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) – PMC.
Can you get chlamydia from eating something?
Chlamydia isn’t spread through casual contact, so you CAN’T get chlamydia from sharing food or drinks, kissing, hugging, holding hands, coughing, sneezing, or sitting on the toilet. Using condoms and/or dental dams every time you have sex is the best way to help prevent chlamydia.
What bacteria can you get from salmon?
| Bacteria | Source | Symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Salmonella | Found in contaminated seafood | Fever, diarrhea, abdominal cramps |
| Vibrio | Present in raw shellfish & seawater | Severe stomach pain, vomiting, dehydration |
| Listeria | Grows in improperly stored seafood | Flu-like symptoms, dangerous for pregnant women |
What else can you get chlamydia from?
Can you get chlamydia from salmon?
Like other infectious organisms of fish such as salmon, it cannot infect humans. So to reassure concerned readers of a certain tabloid newspaper (which has since amended its grossly misleading headline), no matter what their interaction with Scottish salmon, they will not catch chlamydia.
Can fish catch Chlamydia?
Like other infectious organisms of fish such as salmon, it cannot infect humans. So to reassure concerned readers of a certain tabloid newspaper (which has since amended its grossly misleading headline), no matter what their interaction with Scottish salmon, they will not catch chlamydia. Can fish get chlamydia?
Why are chlamydial infections important?
Chlamydial infections of fish are emerging as an important cause of disease in new and established aquaculture industries. What diseases do salmon carry?
Do fish carry germs?
Like all animals, fish may carry germs that make people sick. These germs can also contaminate the water in which fish live. Although fish and aquarium water can spread germs to people, illness due to keeping fish is rare. What parasites does salmon carry?