What you should do
- Raw oysters can be contaminated with germs at any time of year. Cook oysters before eating to reduce your risk of food poisoning.
- Do not let raw seafood, its drippings, or its juices contaminate other foods.
- You cannot tell if an oyster has germs by looking at it.
- Hot sauce and lemon juice do not kill germs.
- To cook oysters in their shells:
- Boil until shells are open, OR
- Add to a steamer that is already steaming and cook for 4 to 9 minutes.
- Only eat shellfish that open during cooking.
- Choose one of the following methods for cooking oysters out of their shells:
- Boil for at least 3 minutes.
- Fry in oil for at least 3 minutes at 375° F.
- Broil 3 inches from heat for 3 minutes.
- Bake at 450° Fahrenheit for 10 minutes.
- Cook seafood until the inside reaches a temperature of 145°F for at least 15 seconds.
Call a healthcare provider right away if you have any of these severe Salmonella symptoms:
- Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102°F
- Diarrhea for more than 3 days that is not improving
- Bloody diarrhea
- So much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down
- Signs of dehydration, such as:
- Not peeing much
- Dry mouth and throat
- Feeling dizzy when standing up
Symptoms of Salmonella
- Most people infected with Salmonella experience diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps.
- Symptoms usually start 6 hours to 6 days after swallowing the bacteria.
- Most people recover without treatment after 4 to 7 days.
- Some people—especially children younger than 5, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems—may experience more severe illnesses that require medical treatment or hospitalization.
