What to know
- You can get very sick from eating raw oysters.
- It is impossible to tell that an oyster is bad by looking at it.
- You can get sick from eating oysters during any month of the year.
- The way to kill harmful bacteria in oysters is to cook them properly.
Introduction
Many people enjoy eating raw oysters, and raw oyster bars are popping up at some of the trendiest restaurants. But eating raw oysters and other undercooked seafood can put you at risk for infections, including vibriosis. Vibriosis is caused by infection with some kinds of Vibrio bacteria (germs).
Vibrio naturally live in certain coastal waters. Because oysters feed by filtering water, Vibrio can concentrate inside oysters their tissues. If you eat raw or undercooked oysters, Vibrio and other germs that might be in the oysters can make you sick.
What do I need to know?
You can get very sick from eating raw oysters.
Most Vibrio infections from oysters result in only diarrhea and vomiting.
But some infections from oysters, such as those caused by Vibrio vulnificus, can be severe.
Many people with Vibrio vulnificus infection can get seriously ill and need intensive care or limb amputation. About 1 in 5 people with this infection die, sometimes within a day or two of becoming ill.
You cannot tell that an oyster is bad by looking at it.
An oyster that contains harmful germs doesn’t look, smell, or even taste different from any other oyster.
You can get sick from eating oysters during any month of the year.
Although most Vibrio infections occur during warmer months of the year, infections have been reported year-round.
The way to kill harmful germs in oysters is to cook oysters properly.
Hot sauce and lemon juice don't kill Vibrio. Drinking alcohol while eating oysters doesn't kill Vibrio either. Cooking oysters properly kills harmful germs that might be in the oyster.
