A co-worker ate a container of unrefrigerated yogurt. It had been under his desk for days.?

Question

He grabbed the wrong lunch bag and ate the container of yogurt that he meant to toss. Anyone have a clue if he will become sick or worse?

Answer 1

That's pretty sad. I would call a poison control center and ask them. If he starts foaming at the mouth get him to the hospital pronto!

Answer 2

Whoa he didn't realize that it was the one he meant to toss even after he opened it -- and still ate it??? Yogurt is generally not ok if it's unrefrigerated for over 6 hours. So after "days" it probably started to look like cottage cheese. If he is dumb enough to eat it in this state, then I say it's natural selection if he gets sick.

Answer 3

The Lactobacillus that makes the yogurt would keep it edible I think. Unless it has no live cultures in it. They probably first made it to preserve the milk longer.

Answer 4

How could he not notice there was something seriously funky with the yogurt??? He could get sick but man that's disgusting.

Answer 5

I sense diariah coming. Most dairy products will have this effect when it goes bad.

Answer 6

If he's not sick by the time you finished typing this question, he'll be fine.

Answer 7

Food can make us sick if it contains either dangerous organisms or toxins. Often the toxic food looks, smells, and tastes okay. You might suspect food poisoning if several people who have eaten the same thing develop similar symptoms, or if a child gets sick without being exposed to anyone else who is sick.

Common bacteria that cause food poisoning include Botulism, Campylobacter, Clostridium perfringens, E. coli, Salmonella, and Staph.

Norwalk virus is the most common virus that causes food poisoning.

Parasites in food can also cause infections, such as toxoplasmosis. People are more likely to get toxoplasmosis from contaminated food than from changing a litter box.

Toxin-caused food poisonings may be from mushrooms, solanine poisoning, or fish or shellfish poisoning.

Who gets it?
The type of food poisoning and who is most likely to get sick depends on the bacteria or toxin:

* Botulism. Most often found in improperly canned foods or foods in dented cans, especially corn, green beans, and peas. It can also be found in improperly stored or heated restaurant foods. Infant botulism can be caused by spores in honey.
* Campylobacter. Found in the stool of poultry, other birds, and other farm animals. Children get it easily from eating improperly cooked poultry or drinking unpasteurized milk.
* Clostridium. Found in the stool of humans and other animals. Children most often get it when food handlers have not washed their hands properly, and the food is left out for awhile, as on a steam table. I call it “cafeteria cramps.”
* E. coli. Another organism found in the stool of humans and other animals. It can be spread by improper food handling. Severe cases are often caused by eating undercooked ground beef or drinking unpasteurized milk or apple juice. Eating unwashed fruit or vegetables can also cause illness.
* Salmonella. Commonly found in eggs, poultry, and other meat. Children can get salmonella easily from eating raw or undercooked eggs, undercooked poultry or meat, or drinking unpasteurized milk. Improper food handling is another common cause of salmonella – for example, putting cooked poultry back on the same plate where it had been when raw.
* Staph. This organism is a common cause of skin infections, from impetigo to pimples to boils. This can get in the food during improper food handling. Warm food (100 degrees) is the ideal place for the bacteria to grow and produce a toxin. The toxin is not destroyed by cooking.
* Mushrooms. Seven different classes of toxins are found in a variety of different types of wild mushrooms. Some are lethal.
* Solanine poisoning. This toxin is found in potatoes that have started to sprout. The biggest problem is from the sprouts themselves or from the potato skins.
* Fish poisoning. Some fish poisoning is serious, especially from large, tropical fish. One type is mild: scombroid poisoning. In this case, some tuna and similar fish have excess histamine. Eating them can cause immediate allergy-like symptoms (sweating, flushing, hives, headache, diarrhea, etc.).
* Shellfish poisoning. Some shellfish, especially during red tides, contain nerve toxins. These can cause paralysis, unusual sensations, and hot-cold reversal – among other symptoms.
* Norwalk virus. The most common foods implicated are cookies, sandwiches, salads, ice, and raw shellfish.
* Toxoplasma gondii. People are most likely to get toxoplasmosis from eating undercooked meat.

What are the symptoms?
The most common symptoms of food poisoning are abdominal cramps, accompanied by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or fever (all attempts by the body to destroy or eliminate the poison).

The symptoms vary widely, depending on the organism or toxin. For further information, see the individual articles.

Is it contagious?
Some types of food poisoning are contagious through the fecal-oral route, if the hands are not washed properly before eating or handling food and after toileting or diapering.

How long does it last?
Staph food poisoning is one of the most common types. The symptoms usually begin quickly, within 6 hours of eating the contaminated food. They tend to last for about a day.

The length of food poisoning varies greatly. See the articles on individual poisons.

How is it diagnosed?
The diagnosis is often made based on the history and physical exam. Sometimes additional studies, such as of the stool or blood, are needed to confirm the diagnosis.

How is it treated?
Mild food poisoning is treated with rest and efforts to prevent or reduce dehydration.

If there is bloody diarrhea, severe diarrhea, worsening dehydration, or worrisome non-GI symptoms, or if the poisoning may have been caused by mushrooms or shellfish, contact your physician immediately. Other treatment may be necessary.

Answer 8

I'd stay out of puke range if I was you

Answer 9

If he was able to eat it then he will be fine.

Answer 10

And by coworker, you mean, you, right? So sad. He'll be ok. I mean, you.