Many people eat sausage for breakfast and dinner because it’s easy to make and tastes great. However, undercooked sausage poses some health risks that need to be taken seriously. If you ate undercooked sausage by accident, you may be wondering how long it takes to get sick.
While the chances are that you’ll be fine, especially if it was just a bite or two, it’s good to understand the timeline of potential foodborne illness from undercooked sausage. Let’s explore how long after consumption sickness could set in, symptoms to watch for, and steps to take if you think you’ve eaten raw sausage.
What is Undercooked Sausage?
Sausage is considered undercooked when it hasn’t reached the proper internal temperature during cooking. According to USDA safety standards, pork sausage is only considered safely cooked when it reaches 160°F internally. Poultry sausage should reach an internal temp of 165°F.
Even if the outside of the sausage looks browned, that doesn’t mean it’s safe because the inside could still be raw. Only using a food thermometer to check internal temp can confirm doneness. If you eat sausage that hasn’t reached these temperatures, you could get foodborne pathogens.
How Soon After Eating Undercooked Sausage Could Illness Occur?
It takes time for foodborne bacteria like salmonella or E. coli to multiply to levels that can make you sick after ingesting. Illness timelines can range from:
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30 minutes to 8 hours: Common timeframe for onset of symptoms from staphylococcus aureus toxin or bacillus cereus. These cause vomiting and diarrhea.
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6 hours to 6 days: Typical window for salmonella, E. coli, listeria or campylobacter illness symptoms to appear after consuming undercooked pork. Diarrhea, fever, cramps and vomiting may occur.
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9 to 15 days Maximum incubation period for parasitic trichinella worms that could be in undercooked pork. Causes diarrhea muscle pain, weakness fever, chills.
Usually if you’re going to get sick from undercooked sausage, symptoms will start within 1-3 days. But in some cases up to 2 weeks. Monitor yourself closely within this timeframe if concerned.
What Are the Symptoms of Sickness From Undercooked Sausage?
Watch for these common food poisoning symptoms after possibly eating raw or undercooked sausage:
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Fatigue and general malaise
- Fever, chills, sweats
- Muscle aches or weakness
- Headache
- Eye swelling if trichinella parasite present
Symptom severity and duration depends on the specific pathogen. Mild cases may resolve in a day or two. More serious infections can last a week or more.
When Should You Seek Medical Care?
In otherwise healthy adults, mild food poisoning symptoms can usually be managed with rest, hydration and over-the-counter medications. But seek medical attention right away if you experience
- High fever over 101°F
- Bloody stool or vomit
- Signs of dehydration like dizziness or excessive thirst
- Inability to keep fluids down for over 6 hours
- Symptoms lasting longer than 3 days
These red flags can signal a more serious illness or complication that requires medical treatment Severe dehydration from loss of fluids can become dangerous if not addressed
At-risk groups like pregnant women, infants, elderly and those with compromised immune systems should always see a doctor for suspected food poisoning, even if symptoms seem mild.
How to Reduce Your Risk From Undercooked Sausage
You can take these precautions to lower the chances of illness from undercooked sausages:
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Use a food thermometer – Always check internal temp reaches 160°F for pork, 165°F for poultry sausage.
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Boil sausages first – Boiling for 15+ minutes before grilling or sautéing ensures thorough cooking.
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Avoid cross-contamination – Use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw and cooked sausage.
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Wash hands and prep surfaces – Kill bacteria that could spread from raw sausage juices.
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Buy pre-cooked varieties – Opt for ready-to-eat sausages when possible.
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Check for doneness cues – Sausage should be firm with slightly browned exterior when fully cooked.
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When in doubt, throw it out! – Don’t take risks with sausage that could be undercooked.
Following proper storage, handling and cooking guidelines significantly reduces your chances of foodborne illness from sausage.
What to Do If You Think You Ate Undercooked Sausage
If you suspect you may have consumed sausage that wasn’t thoroughly cooked, take these steps:
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Stop eating the sausage – Discard any remaining questionable sausage immediately.
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Monitor for symptoms – Watch for food poisoning signs for 1-2 weeks after consumption.
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Document what you ate – Note the date, time, sausage type, etc in case illness occurs.
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Drink plenty of fluids – Stay hydrated to help flush out potential toxins.
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Call your doctor – If any concerning symptoms arise, especially bloody stool, high fever or dehydration.
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Wash up – Carefully clean any surfaces, utensils and hands that touched the suspect sausage.
Though the chances are low with just a bite or two, it’s smart to remain vigilant after potentially eating raw pork sausage. Seek medical care right away if symptoms do develop.
Can You Eat Slightly Undercooked Sausage?
It’s best practice to avoid knowingly eating undercooked sausage, even if just slightly undertemp. The bacteria risk may be lower, but still present nonetheless.
However, if you just ate a piece that was borderline undercooked, don’t panic. Monitor yourself, but chances are you’ll be okay. Just don’t make it a habit. Always verify sausage reaches the recommended internal temps.
A few moments of extra cooking time is worth it to eliminate the gamble on foodborne diseases. Use a food thermometer whenever cooking sausage to confirm thorough doneness.
Key Takeaways on Undercooked Sausage Safety
Here are the key points to remember about the risks of undercooked sausage:
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Illness can take 30 minutes to 2 weeks to develop after eating raw sausage. Typical onset is 1-3 days.
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Symptoms like diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps are common with sausage-related food poisoning.
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Seek medical care promptly with bloody stool, high fever, dehydration or symptoms lasting >3 days.
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Reduce risk by fully cooking sausage to 160°F for pork, 165°F for poultry varieties.
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Discard any sausage you suspect could be undercooked. Wash up thoroughly afterward.
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Monitor yourself closely for 2 weeks after possible undercooked sausage consumption.
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When in doubt if sausage is done, throw it out. It’s not worth getting sick over.
Properly handling, cooking and storing sausage is key. But if you think you may have consumed undercooked sausage, be vigilant about possible illness and see a doctor if concerning symptoms occur.
What is the treatment for trichinosis?
If you’ve eaten raw or undercooked meat and show symptoms of trichinosis, you should contact your healthcare provider. Treatment should begin as soon as possible. Although some cases of trichinosis go away on their own, some cases of untreated trichinosis can be fatal.
Your healthcare provider might prescribe:
- Mebendazole and albendazole are two drugs that can get rid of parasites in your body. If you take these within three days of getting sick, they keep the infection from spreading to your muscles and getting worse.
- Painkillers, like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)
- Drugs to help with inflammation, such as steroids.
How long until I feel better?
It may take weeks for you to feel better if you’ve had trichinosis.Care at Cleveland Clinic
Infectious Diseases A-Z: Will eating undercooked pork make you sick?
Can you eat undercooked sausage?
To avoid accidental eating of undercooked sausage, always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the sausage before serving or eating. Cook the sausage until it reaches 160°F (71°C) for red meat sausages or 165°F (74°C) for poultry sausages.
What happens if a sausage is undercooked?
Ground meat used in making sausages can harbor a higher number of bacteria than regular meat, which makes it more susceptible to contamination. 4 If a sausage is undercooked, it can contain a sufficient quantity of disease-causing bacteria to make you sick.
Can undercooked sausage cause food poisoning?
Undercooked sausage may cause food poisoning, but it’s not always possible to determine if it’s the source of food poisoning, as symptoms can take time to appear.
How long does it take to get sick after eating meat?
Symptoms of trichinosis may begin about two weeks after eating infected meat and last several weeks. They include: muscle soreness, fever, headaches, eye swelling, chills, extreme tiredness, diarrhea or constipation, cough, and rash or itchy skin.