Can humans get sick from eating backyard eggs?

[coloradonewbie]

A friend (A) just called me and asked if she could get sick from eating the eggs she gets from "Mary." Mary raises chickens (out in rural Colorado, where she's allowed to have roosters!), and my friend buys them from her through another mutual friend (B).

B's been eating the eggs from Mary for years, and hasn't ever experienced a 3-week bout of diarrhea (which is what A's going through now). As long as A stays on the BART (Brown rice, applesauce, something that starts with an R

and toast,), she does ok, but she's getting sick of eating that way -- so she's trying to figure out something else she normally eats that could be setting her off on a regular basis . . . .

I've been eating my eggs with no problem, but told her I'd see if anyone else on here knew the answer (since I don't, obviously!). I know you can get salmonella from not washing up after you handle the chickens, but A has never been out to Mary's farm, so that's not the issue.

Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks!
carroll

PS Maybe the R stands for Rice, and it's the B I don't know . . . . .

 

[Darklingstorm]

If not handled properly, yes you can get sick. If the egg is old, the hen sick, eggs left out side too long in very hot weather or any number of other things. But since "B" is eating the same eggs and not getting sick, maybe "A" has developed allergies to eggs. Or maybe she touched something somewhere and got a virus from it. I know of a certain restaurant in my area that my son got a stomach virus from every time we would use their high chairs (we don't go there anymore) and he had a lot of the same symptoms that you described.

 

[crazyhen]

First of all, your friend needs to see a Dr. No one should have diarrhea that long unless she has a problem. You can dehydrate very quickly. Broth is the first B.
Second yes we can all get sick from eating anyones eggs . Salmonella can come on eggs from the grocery store, as well as our flock. It can come from undercooked food or veg. from the fields when they are contaminated. There are too many things to blame just one. She could have colitus or other problem as well. It could be ecoli from meat. It could be a lactose or milk intolerance, It could be an allergy. Get her to go to a DR. Gloria Jean

 

[chkn]

Yeah, I wouldn't think a bad egg would give her ongoing symptoms like that. It almost sounds like giardia or something. Maybe a gallbladder problem, I don't know.

 

[itom37]

Could be several things, potentially gastroenteritis caused by something from an egg. Of course, this happens with plenty of grocery store foods. Anyway, go to a dr.

 

[jeremy]

You're more likely to get sick by eating store bought eggs.

Your friend who has had diarrhea for 3 weeks needs to see a doctor.

 

[greenscape]

E-Coli is a killer. She's made it this long you can rule that one out Sounds as if She is having severe problems We have all had it! Is this worse than any before. Make the Diagnoses and get her to the doctor in 3 mins. Diarrhea can kill you really quick.

 

[blueberrychickens]

Just chiming in about the long bout of diarrhea, I too went thru a spell this spring, thought it was just a really persistant stomach bug, after a multitude of tests, I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease. I too thought maybe it was something from the chickens. I was glad to know it wasn't from them. Not thrilled w/ the diagnosis but it's something I'll have to live with for the rest of my life now. Your friend needs to be seen by a Dr., don't wait!!! Oh & BRAT stands for Banana's, Rice, Applesauce, Toast.

 

[coloradonewbie]

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO ANSWERED ME -- Y'all are wonderful -- and informative! Unfortunately, my friend has no health insurance, but I'm going to encourage her to get to a dr as soon as she possibly can -- and I guess the B in the BRAT diet can stand for broth and/or bananas -- both are good and bland, that's for sure!

If anyone else has any other suggestions, feel free to continue this post -- I'll call her tomorrow and let her know what some of the other possibilities are -- I really hope she doesn't have Crohn's disease (had to look that one up again -- I had another friend a long time ago who had it, but couldn't remember much) -- It's best to know, though!

 

[LittleDarlings]

Sorry to hear about the yucky tummy!! My mother was a nurse on the pediatric floor in the hospital, the BRAT diet was served to almost everyone until they were diagnosed and could move onto a more normal diet. Bananas-Rice-Applesauce-Toast with Gatorade in cups or bottles. It stunk for me because I never did and still don't like bananas OR applesauce! LOL These were the chosen diet because it slowed down the digestive and kinda "thickened" things up. (Kinda like eating a lot of cheese

) Good luck to your friend and enjoy your eggs!