Oh no! You just realized that chicken you ate wasn’t fully cooked That moment of panic is something many of us have experienced Your first instinct might be to make yourself throw up, but is that actually the right move? Let’s dive into what you should really do if you accidentally consumed raw or undercooked chicken.
The Short Answer: Don’t Make Yourself Throw Up
No, you should not induce vomiting if you ate raw chicken. This might seem counterintuitive, but experts agree that making yourself throw up can actually cause more harm than good. Inducing vomiting doesn’t effectively remove all traces of the raw chicken from your system and can lead to additional problems like:
- Damage to your esophagus
- Risk of aspiration (getting vomit in your lungs)
- Further irritation to your digestive system
Both medical professionals and food safety experts advise against this approach. Instead, there are better ways to handle this unfortunate situation.
What to Do Instead If You Ate Raw Chicken
If you’ve just realized you consumed raw or undercooked chicken. here’s what you should do
- Stay calm – Panicking won’t help the situation
- Rinse your mouth thoroughly with water
- Drink several glasses of water to help dilute any harmful bacteria
- Monitor your symptoms over the next 48 hours
- Discard any remaining undercooked chicken to prevent further risk
I’ve been in this situation before (thanks to a deceptively pink chicken breast at a restaurant), and following these steps helped me handle it properly without making things worse.
When Will I Start Feeling Sick?
If you’re going to develop food poisoning from the raw chicken symptoms typically appear within a specific timeframe depending on the type of bacteria
| Bacteria | When Symptoms Start | How Long Symptoms Last |
|---|---|---|
| Campylobacter | 2 to 5 days after eating | About 1 week |
| Salmonella | 6 hours to 6 days | 4 to 7 days |
| Clostridium perfringens | 8 to 12 hours | Less than 24 hours |
This waiting period can be nerve-wracking, I know! But knowing what to expect helps you prepare and recognize if symptoms do develop.
Common Symptoms to Watch For
If harmful bacteria were present in the raw chicken, you might experience these symptoms:
- Abdominal cramping and pain
- Diarrhea (sometimes bloody)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever and chills
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Weakness
Many people ask me, “Does the amount of chicken matter?” The unfortunate truth is that even consuming a small amount of contaminated raw chicken or just its juices can cause food poisoning.
Self-Treatment for Possible Food Poisoning
If you start developing symptoms, here’s how to take care of yourself:
Stay Hydrated
This is super important! Food poisoning can lead to dehydration quickly, so drink plenty of:
- Water
- Clear broths
- Diluted fruit juices
- Sports drinks
- Oral rehydration solutions like Pedialyte
Rest Up
Your body needs energy to fight the infection, so:
- Stay home
- Get plenty of sleep
- Stay near a bathroom (trust me on this one!)
Consider OTC Medications
These might help manage symptoms:
- Imodium (loperamide) for diarrhea
- Pepto-Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate) for nausea and diarrhea
When to Seek Medical Care
Most cases of food poisoning resolve on their own, but sometimes you need professional help. Call your doctor if you experience:
- Bloody diarrhea
- High fever (over 102°F or 38.9°C)
- Symptoms lasting more than 3 days
- Inability to keep liquids down
- Signs of dehydration (little/no urination, extreme thirst, dizziness)
- Severe weakness or confusion
Some people are at higher risk for serious complications and should seek medical attention sooner:
- Adults over 65
- Pregnant individuals
- People with weakened immune systems
- Young children and infants
Preventing Raw Chicken Issues in the Future
The best way to avoid this whole scary situation is to prevent it from happening again. Here are some practical tips:
Cook Chicken Properly
Always cook chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). This is THE magic number that kills harmful bacteria. I invested in a good meat thermometer, and it’s been a game-changer for my cooking confidence.
Practice Safe Food Handling
- Wash hands thoroughly before and after handling raw chicken
- Use separate cutting boards for raw chicken
- Store raw chicken in sealed containers or bags to prevent juices from leaking
- Refrigerate leftovers within one hour
- Keep your fridge at or below 40°F and freezer at or below 0°F
Commonly Asked Questions About Raw Chicken
Can I cook the remaining chicken if I realize part was undercooked?
No, it’s better to discard any remaining undercooked chicken to eliminate risk of further contamination.
Can marinades kill bacteria in raw chicken?
While acidic marinades might reduce some bacteria, they definitely don’t eliminate all of them. Proper cooking is still essential.
Is pink chicken always unsafe?
Yes, pinkness in chicken typically indicates it’s not fully cooked. However, some smoked chicken might remain pink even when fully cooked due to the smoking process. When in doubt, use a thermometer!
Can freezing raw chicken kill bacteria?
Freezing can reduce bacterial numbers but doesn’t eliminate them completely. You still need to cook chicken thoroughly after thawing.
Can I get sick just from touching raw chicken?
Yes, though the risk is lower than from eating it. Always wash your hands thoroughly after handling raw chicken to prevent cross-contamination.
Long-Term Effects of Raw Chicken Consumption
While most people recover from food poisoning without lasting effects, sometimes there can be complications:
- Reactive arthritis (joint inflammation)
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Guillain-Barré syndrome (a rare nervous system disorder)
- Typhoid fever (from specific Salmonella strains)
- Kidney problems (in severe cases)
These complications are relatively rare but worth being aware of.
Final Thoughts
Accidentally eating raw chicken is definitely anxiety-inducing, but making yourself throw up isn’t the solution. Focus on staying hydrated, monitoring your symptoms, and seeking medical help if things get severe.
The best approach is prevention – cooking chicken thoroughly, handling it safely, and using a reliable food thermometer. These simple steps can save you from a very unpleasant experience.
Have you ever had a raw chicken scare? What did you do? Share your experiences in the comments below!
Remember: when in doubt, throw it out. No chicken dish is worth the risk of severe food poisoning!
You can’t always rely on innate defences
However, even in healthy adults, if the number of bacteria is high, stomach acid and immune defences may not be enough to reduce their numbers to a safe level.
Our innate food poisoning defences may work less effectively in young children, the elderly, pregnant women and those with an underlying health condition or a weakened immune system.
Taking antacids regularly also increases food poisoning risk by neutralising stomach acid.
John unusually blends his chicken, creating a wide surface area for stomach acid to attack. Also, the source of his chicken and food seasonings might help to protect him from infection.
John says that he gets his chicken from a particular farm, so it’s probably safe to assume the chicken is very fresh and from a flock that might have a lower incidence of salmonella and campylobacter than birds from a larger commercial source.
Freshness is important, as the number of harmful germs increases the older the meat is. If the chicken John is eating is very fresh and he’s not consuming a lot of it, the number of germs may be too low to reach an infectious dose.
However, whatever the pedigree of the chicken, the safety of raw meat is not possible to guarantee, and what looks and smells fresh can still be dangerously germ-laden.
John told his followers that he uses seasonings such as soy sauce and herbs to improve the lack of flavour of the raw chicken. It is known that soy sauce promotes digestion by enhancing stomach acid secretion in humans, which would help to kill any germs in the food. Soy sauce also possesses direct antimicrobial activity against bacteria such as Shigella flexneri, Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio cholera, Salmonella enteritidis and Escherichia coli.
Chilli sauces also inhibit food-poisoning bacteria, and many herbs contain antimicrobial compounds and have been used as preservatives for centuries.
Aromatic herbs, such as thyme, are potent inhibitors of germ growth, especially the kinds of germ found on poultry.
Should I throw up if I ate raw chicken?
FAQ
Can eating raw chicken cause food poisoning?
Eating raw chicken may cause food poisoning. Raw poultry meat can contain several different types of bacteria, including: Even consuming the juices from raw chicken can result in food poisoning. Campylobacter bacteria cause a Campylobacter infection, or campylobacteriosis.
Can you eat raw chicken?
Chicken is a healthy choice of protein popular in the United States. Cooked chicken is safe for most people. Raw chicken is unsafe to consume because it may contain certain bacteria, including Campylobacter, Salmonella, and Clostridium perfringens. These bacteria may lead to foodborne illness or food poisoning.
What happens if you eat raw chicken?
Even consuming the juices from raw chicken can result in food poisoning. Campylobacter bacteria cause a Campylobacter infection, or campylobacteriosis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that Campylobacter infections affect up to 1.5 million people in the United States every year. Symptoms include:
How do you prevent food poisoning from chicken?
Other tips to lower your risk of food poisoning from chicken include: 11 Wash your hands before and after handling raw chicken. Store raw chicken in a plastic bag to keep the juices from leaking. Use a designated cutting board to cut raw chicken. Place leftover cooked chicken in the refrigerator or freezer within one hour.
Do you need antibiotic treatment if you eat raw chicken?
People in higher risk categories might need antibiotic treatment. Those who may be at higher risk of severe illness if they develop food poisoning include: Typically, any symptoms of illness after eating raw chicken will resolve without the need for medical treatment.
Can you eat chicken if you have a foodborne illness?
With proper handling and cooking, chicken is a safe food to eat and enjoy. Anyone experiencing a foodborne illness should get plenty of rest, sip fluids regularly, and seek medical help if symptoms persist for more than a few days. Eating raw chicken can make a person very ill.
Should I throw up if I think I ate undercooked chicken?
It is not advisable to try to induce vomiting, as this may cause unnecessary harm to the gut. According to Poison Control, if a person develops food poisoning, they should ensure that they remain hydrated. If the individual is unable to keep fluids down, they should seek medical help.
What should I do if I ate raw chicken?
How long after eating raw chicken will you be sick?
Should I vomit after eating raw meat?
Common symptoms of foodborne illness
Symptoms of foodborne illnesses depend on the bacteria or parasite. Campylobacter, E. coli, and Salmonella all cause gastrointestinal symptoms. Symptoms of Campylobacter include watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, headache, and muscle pain.