I cut my finger with the knife while cutting raw red meat, I am pregnant...?

Question

I cut my finger while cutting raw red meat. I am 34 weeks pregnant. I tried to squeezed out as much blood as possible from the cut, then I washed it with untibacterial liquid and I put plaster on it. But I still worry that I could catch salmonella or listeria. How dangerous do you think it can be?

Answer 1

You will be fine. Salmonella is associated with raw poultry, and even then it's VERY rare in the United States because of the high standards in the meat packing industry.

Just because meat is raw doesn't automatically mean it is carrying a disease. Millions of Americans (including me!) eat rare to medium/rare beef every day with no adverse affects.

Sounds like you took good precautions in cleaning and caring for the wound. Unless you see it getting infected, or have any strange gastrointestinal symptoms, there's no need to worry or call a doctor.

All the best!

Answer 2

I don't think you have anything to worry about. You allowed the cut to bleed a little, washed, and dressed it appropriately. At your next bandage changing, wash it again, us an antispetic like peroxide or rubbing alcohol, and use an antibacterial ointment like Bactine or Neosporin.

E. coli is the bacteria most likely to contaminate red meat and unwashed veggies, salmonella for poultry, and listeria in dairy and cured meats like hotdogs, but each of these bacteria can contaminate foods across the board. I don't think what you were exposed to will harm you or your baby. I understand your conceren. I am 36 weeks pregnant and also cut myself preparing some beef, however, these bacteria affect the digestive system, and this is where they cause illness. Keep your wound clean, staph infection is more of a concern for a skin wound than any of the food bacteria. If you develop unusual swelling, pain, or pus on the wound, or fever, then contact your health care provider.

Congratulations on your pregnancy and I wish you the best of luck!!!

Answer 3

First pregnancy? Everyone is always paranoid the first time around. You did the right thing washing your hands. I wouldn't be worried about the potential of bacteria from the meat.....my concern would be is your tetnus shot up to date? You cut your finger with a metal object....that was the first thing that came to my mind. I would keep it covered and use an atibacterial ointment like neosporin. Also, salmonella and listeria are typically found in chicken/pork, not red meat.

Answer 4

First: do you mean "anti-bacterial" liquid? Put that: in the trash. It is worthless. Your body, skin MUST have some bacteria; much of it: protects from disease. So-called anti-bacterial 'soap' is a chemistry invention to make money. It is junk. IF Nature did not want bacteria to exist: it wouldn't.

Second: I've NO idea what "plaster" means.

Third: To stop bleeding like this --grab a tomato --that has not been refrigerated --at all since it was picked. Cut thick slick
-place over the cut
-use gauze to wrap in place
-within :20 all pain, bleeding will stop
-skin will immediately begin to 'knit' together
-no infection will form
-scar will be minor to slight
-No frantic rush to ER, no forms, no stitches, no drugs, no pain.
It's not too late to put tomato slice on the cut now. --First remove "plaster"; replace the slice in a few hours.

There isn't any way to KNOW if infection has entered or is forming, without test. Strictly my opinion: I highly doubt it. The smart thing, to relieve your fear: call your doc's office, tell them --see if they want to put you thru to the doc. If they don't think it necessary: ask the desk staff to make a note in your chart, with the details.

If you're curious: tomato must NEVER be cooled/ refrigerated; kills the 47 enzymes in tomato = worthless to eat also. That's why: everyone should grow their own, in a container even, on the fire escape even; or buy directly from a grower at a Certified Farmer's market. Supermarkets: buy green tomatoes, pump a gas into them during cold transport that turns them red, but they are worthless to the body.

Answer 5

I wouldn't worry. First, salmonella/listeria is not a red meat disease-- thats chicken/turkey.

Second, E.Coli, which is the bacteria you would worry about for red meat, is really quite uncommon. It's not found in all meat. You did the right thing in washing your hands. You'll probabyl be 100% fine-- just keep an eye on any other symptoms.

Answer 6

I've eaten cold cuts my whole pregnancy.. that's all I could hold down in the start lol. And baby and I are doing just fine.. The fear is listeria but it's very low risk that it would happen, and if you heat the sandwich up real quick it'll get rid of any bacteria..

Answer 7

Listeria is not common in red meat, e. coli is. Your only other real concern is tetanus.

Assuming that you have had a tetanus vaccine in the last 10 years, that isn't a worry. And normal healthy people can fight off e. coli. E. coli also may make mom sick but it doesn't cross the placenta.

Answer 8

You're fine. There's only less than 500 listeria cases every year, non pregnant women included. Salmonella isn't common either. Unless you start having symptoms, it doesn't even warrant a call to the doctor.

Answer 9

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Answer 10

I believe you are fine. To be on the safe side, I would call your OB or Midwife. That's what they're there for. If they think you need to take any further precautions, they will tell you so.