Be careful with social media trends: Eating organs and raw meat, unpredictable risks

Consuming organs and raw food is no longer a strange thing. However, in the context of dirty food and mixed real and fake food, this increases many serious health risks.

The consumption of organs and raw meat is becoming more and more popular. This may be due to the interest in exploring and the eating habits following trends on social networks of many people.

Risk of encephalitis, epilepsy

According to specialist doctor Nguyen Tran Nhu Thuy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City - branch 3, worms from animals can be transmitted to humans, through undercooked food or drinking water. Some dangerous types include:

Dishes made from raw blood may contain streptococcus suis pathogens and worms.

PHOTO: NGOC THANG

Pork tapeworm (Taenia solium)

Source of infection: Pigs, rare pork.

Complications: Can cause brain cysts (larvae migrate into the central nervous system).

Clonorchis sinensis

Source of infection: Raw freshwater fish (from fish salad dishes).

Complications: Hepatitis, cirrhosis, bile duct cancer.

Lung flukes (Paragonimus spp.)

Source of infection: Undercooked crabs and freshwater shrimp.

Complications: Causes prolonged cough, easily confused with tuberculosis.

Trichinella spiralis (Trichinella spiralis)

Source of infection: Wild boar meat, raw wild animal meat.

Complications: Muscle pain, myositis, heart and nerve damage.

Beef tapeworm (Taenia saginata)

Source of infection: Raw or rare beef.

Complications: Causes digestive disorders, reduced nutrient absorption.

“When eating food contaminated with worms, users may experience some acute and dangerous symptoms such as: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, itching, rash or hives... Some cases may have intestinal obstruction due to large numbers of worms. With dangerous worms such as pork tapeworm, if the larvae move into the brain, it can cause encephalitis, epilepsy, and be life-threatening,” warned Dr. Nhu Thuy.

Do not eat meat, fish, seafood and other raw foods of unknown origin or that have not been thoroughly cooked.

Illustration: AI

Which part of an animal is most likely to contain worms?

Doctor Nhu Thuy points out the types of food and animal parts that can easily cause people to be infected with worms, especially when eaten raw:

• Animal liver and bile: May be infected with liver flukes.
• Small intestine/stomach (offal, intestines): Home to many types of worms.
• Raw blood: Easily contaminated with bacteria, viruses and tapeworm eggs.
• Raw freshwater fish (fish salad, fermented pork roll): Very high risk of infection with small liver flukes.
• Rare pork/beef: Likely to contain pork or beef tapeworm larvae.
• Raw crabs and shrimp (shrimp salad, crab sauce): Risk of lung fluke infection.

From there, the doctor gave some notes to protect health from dangerous diseases caused by foodborne worms, including:

• Do not eat meat, fish, seafood and other raw foods of unknown origin or that have not been thoroughly cooked.
• Deworm every 6 months (especially if you regularly eat outside food).
• Wash your hands before eating and after using the toilet.
• Drink boiled water (avoid infection with worm eggs through water).
• Use food from reputable, clearly inspected suppliers.

“When suspecting or discovering that you have eaten food at risk of being infected with worms, you need to stay calm and monitor your body's symptoms for the first 24-72 hours. You need to go to a medical facility immediately to do a stool test, a blood test to look for parasite antibodies and receive a prescription for appropriate deworming medicine. Absolutely do not use deworming medicine on your own if you have not clearly identified the type of worms infected, because each type of worm has a different treatment regimen,” Dr. Nhu Thuy emphasized.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/can-trong-trao-luu-tren-mang-xa-hoi-an-noi-tang-thit-song-nguy-co-kho-luong-185250529004654247.htm