salmonella fear

smileybabyboy

I have this fear that I will unknowingly feed my family a fruit or vegetable contaminated with salmonella and my unborn baby and 3 year old son will pass away from salmonella poisoning.  I'm not sure how to get over this fear.   Am I the only one who has this fear?  I'm not really sure how to prevent or avoid getting poisoned unless we cut out all fresh vegetables and fruit which isn't the healthiest option.  

PrimRoseMama

I would just wash thoroughly and do your best. Its all you can do. If this fear becomes so paralyzing that it affects your ability to eat regular, every day food or prepare meals-- then its time to talk to a professional. You could have some Prenatal Anxiety going on. Its normal to worry a little bit, but excessive worry is an issue.

taysun

Salmonella shouldn't affect your baby, it will just make you sick.
I also second pp's advice.

cmerribury

I agree with Primrose (as usual) that perhaps seeking advice from a professional would be best. I've had salmonella, and though awful, it will not kill any of you if treated promptly. However, your fear sounds like it isn't based in rational thought and is anxiety more than anything else. Good luck.

LIly436

You need to learn more about salmonella. Just basic facts will calm you down. In order to get food poisoning you need to ingest several bacteria, not just one. Fresh fruit and vegetables are not the main source - poultry, mainly chicken and eggs. Wash your hands after handling chicken, disinfect surfaces which came into contact with raw chicken and cook it and eggs thoroughly and you will be fine. Maybe enroll into food safe courses to learn more about what is safe and what is not. Well washed fruit and vegetables are pretty safe

Mousie93

Perhaps you are thinking of listeria bacteria which causes listeriosis? That can indeed be contracted from fruit and vegetables, however this is unlikely if you wash them thoroughly and then cook them. Salads eaten raw are the most risky, but even then the chances of you catching listeria are very small. Listeriosis can harm an unborn baby but nowadays prompt treatment with antibiotics seriously lowers that risk. Symptoms of listeria poisoning are similar to flu virus. If you go to your doctor presenting flu like symptoms they will do a listeria test for you. But please try not to worry! I don't know anybody who's had listeriosis, and it will not cause serious symptoms in your other family members. As for salmonella - avoid deli meats as well as the usual culprits. But I agree with pp, if your fear of food poisoning is taking over your life don't be ashamed or feel silly to talk to a health professional.

smileybabyboy

taysun said:

Salmonella shouldn't affect your baby, it will just make you sick.

Thank you for everyone's responses.  Both Salmonella and listeriosis and E.Coli will cross the placenta and cause serious health problems with the baby including stillbirth.  THey all scare me.  I do wash everything well and I will still eat raw vegetables and fruits and then worry afterwards.  A food safety course is a great idea, thank you Llly435!  Maybe that will help.  I suppose talking to my dr might be wise also.  Thank you again.

celainev

I would talk to your doctor first. This is something that shouldn't bring you so much anxiety, and might be a gateway to other problems.

kyraaD

i would maybe talk to your doctor about it, just because it is causing you so much worry/anxiety that you're considering cutting out fresh fruits & vegetables all together. it's normal to have some worries, of course. but this seems like it's starting to get to the extreme end of things. i would just mention it & see what your doctor has to say about it.