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Is It Necessary To Have Penicillin For Food Poisoning?

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Posted on Tue, 2 Jun 2015
Question: Pregnant and so scared. Went to a trusted restaurant (crepe place) and ate a few bites of food before passing the workstation on the way to bathroom. Cook (new cook) was making everything with bare hands- no utensils at all. Touched raw meat right before raw vegetables (the raw vegetables were for a salad). Went to bathroom and made myself throw up the food. It was chicken that i assumed was cooked fresh but saw at work station was precooked then barely heated up. Threw up food about 10 minutes after eating. Now petrified i could have gotten listeria. Seems hughly likely given the disgusting and illegal conditions. Should i ask my doctor for penicillin? I am petrified.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Manisha Jain (26 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
No need to opt for antibiotics

Detailed Answer:
Hello mam, thanks for trusting health care magic.
I understand your anxiety related to the issue.
But in my opinion there is nothing to be scared of, and rather don't be panicked like this.
Chicken if was precooked then all the bad organisms must have been destroyed and as fas as bare hands are concerned I think that is an issue definitely but since the restaurant was reputed chances of contamination are pretty low.
Listeria are very vulnerable organisms and this get destroyed when heated so I don't think you need to opt for penicillin.
Just avoid outside food as much as possible and in case you get craving then go for fried foods or baked ones if possible.
Wish you best of health
Regards
Dr Manisha
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Manisha Jain (6 minutes later)
It was a reputable restaurant but new cook. Since it was a crepe the chicken was not heated up more than warm. Did making myself throw up reduce my risk? Is there a chance my doctor will allow me to take penicillin preventatively? Thanks so much
doctor
Answered by Dr. Manisha Jain (37 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
No need to take antibiotic

Detailed Answer:
I got your point dear, but no one will prescribe any antibiotic (leave aside penicillin) for it as surely it is not needed.
Vomiting everything was a good step (appreciably good) and if at all there was any infection it would have got cleared by that act.
But in general acidic juices in stomach are competent enough to deal with minor contamination of foodstuffs.
Take lukewarm water for 2-3 days and also include curd (homemade) in all your meals.
Curd has good bacteria and thus provide internal immunity.
All the best.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Manisha Jain

OBGYN

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 5136 Questions

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Is It Necessary To Have Penicillin For Food Poisoning?

Brief Answer: No need to opt for antibiotics Detailed Answer: Hello mam, thanks for trusting health care magic. I understand your anxiety related to the issue. But in my opinion there is nothing to be scared of, and rather don't be panicked like this. Chicken if was precooked then all the bad organisms must have been destroyed and as fas as bare hands are concerned I think that is an issue definitely but since the restaurant was reputed chances of contamination are pretty low. Listeria are very vulnerable organisms and this get destroyed when heated so I don't think you need to opt for penicillin. Just avoid outside food as much as possible and in case you get craving then go for fried foods or baked ones if possible. Wish you best of health Regards Dr Manisha