There are so many things you should and shouldn’t eat when you are pregnant! While many of the guidelines given to you by your OB/GYN may seem overwhelming or not important, they actually are in place to help keep you and your growing baby safe.

Experiencing food poisoning, like salmonella, is never fun, but it can be exhausting and even sometimes scary to get food poisoning while pregnant.

Our AFC Urgent Care Farragut team explains what salmonella is below, so read to learn more.

How Do People Get Salmonella?

Many of the rules surrounding your diet while you are pregnant have to do with eating raw or undercooked foods. This is partially due to the risk of coming in contact with dangerous bacteria, like salmonella. Salmonella is the name of the bacteria that can be found in raw or undercooked meat, raw eggs, and unwashed fruit and vegetables.

When you consume the bacteria, you will start to experience gastrointestinal symptoms after a few hours or a few days, and you will probably feel pretty sick for up to a week. While you will likely experience the same symptoms as someone who is not pregnant, you need to keep a closer eye on how you feel. It is rare, but there is the risk of passing the infection on to your baby. More than likely, complications due to salmonella come if you become dehydrated.

The Most Common Symptoms of Salmonella

• Diarrhea
• Stomach cramps
• Fever
• Nausea/vomiting
• Headache

What Can I Do to Avoid Salmonella?

The best thing you can do is take those food and drink suggestions seriously! Avoid eating raw meat, and ensure all of your meat and eggs are cooked thoroughly and to the right temperature. You also need to ensure that you are washing produce well before eating or preparing it.

You can also contract salmonella by petting or interacting with animals. If you have a pet in your household, be sure to wash your hands after spending time with your furry friend. This is also one of the reasons why there are hand washing stations next to petting zoos! Don’t forget that important step after interacting with any kind of animal.

Serious Salmonella Symptoms That Need Evaluation

• Symptoms last more than a few days
• Bloody stools
• A high-grade fever of 102 degrees or higher that won’t go away
• Severe dehydration

Stomach issues can be really frustrating. Come see us at AFC Urgent Care Farragut for a diagnosis.