Smoked or raw salmon should not be consumed during the gestation period.. The risk for doing so is very high and not worth it. This is not the case with cooked salmon, since the preparation process is different and eliminates any bacteria that could be dangerous.
Among pregnant women it is very common to worry about what can or cannot be consumed during this period. It is important to know that smoked or raw salmon is potentially dangerous and that this is not a myth, it is a proven fact.
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Salmon and pregnancy: A dangerous combination?
Smoked or raw salmon and pregnancy are a dangerous combination.. The symptoms in the mother may be very mild or even go unnoticed a few hours after consumption, but the effects for the baby can be very serious in some cases.
Although it is a topic that still to this day generates confusion, the truth about this is that smoked salmon is raw fish, and this makes it one of the foods prohibited during pregnancy along with other types of raw meat.
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Why smoked salmon is contraindicated and cooked salmon is not?
Smoked salmon is potentially harmful because it is raw.. On the contrary, cooked salmon is out of risk, since cooking and exposing it to high temperatures kills dangerous bacteria.
Like raw meats or other smoked products, smoked salmon can carry bacteria or parasites. These can affect the mother and even the baby.
Some studies have tried to show that smoked products are safe during pregnancy. They conclude that parasites and bacteria cannot survive more than 14 months in the food.
But most doctors do not advise and even prohibit the consumption of smoked salmon. This is not the case with cooked salmon, as it actually provides omega 3, which benefits both mother and baby.
Due to these differences that can cause confusion, cooked salmon can be consumed during pregnancy. Another option is to freeze. Whether it is smoked or not, freezing kills all parasites and bacteria.
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Problems derived from the consumption of smoked salmon.
Consumption of smoked or raw salmon can lead to listeriosis or anisakis.. Either of these two diseases are potentially dangerous for both mother and baby. For this reason, certain foods are discouraged during the gestation period.
Either of these two infections can be fatal to the baby. In both cases the mother may have mild or severe symptoms, but there are usually no serious consequences. The main problem lies in the harm to the baby.
1. Listeriosis
Listeria is a bacterium found in water and in raw meat and fish, vegetables and fruits, and milk.. If any of these are not washed properly (or cooked in the case of meat and fish), you can get listeriosis.
Listeriosis can cause mild symptoms in the mother after eating contaminated food. In some cases it causes fever, diarrhea, dizziness, muscle aches and headaches.
However, the real problem is for the baby. It can cause fetal death or premature delivery. Another possibility is that it may cause septicemia, which is an infection that causes sequelae. Thus, it is important that if the mother presents any type of discomfort, she goes immediately to the doctor.
On these occasions, tests must be performed to confirm the diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate antibiotics. This allows to fight the infection in early stages avoiding further complications.
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2. Anisakis
Another risk of consuming smoked or raw salmon is the contagion of anisakis.. Although anisakis is not as harmful to the baby as listeriosis can be, any infection can lead to complications that are best avoided.
Anisakis is a worm that can cause a serious stomach infection. Although this is not serious for the baby, it can be serious for the mother and can even jeopardize the pregnancy if the infection evolves and worsens.
These worms lodge in the intestines once infected fish are eaten, causing digestive problems or allergies. In mild cases the infection can be treated with antibiotics and antihistamines eliminating all risk for mother and baby.
However, this stomach infection caused by anisakis has even caused peritonitis or intestinal obstruction. In these cases, surgical intervention is required, which puts the pregnancy at high risk.
The risk of infection to the mother is reason enough to prevent this worm from entering the body, as it can compromise the health of both mother and child.
Preventive measures
The best prevention is to eliminate consumption of smoked or raw salmon during pregnancy.. This food can be replaced by cooked salmon, which does not represent a greater risk. Another suggestion is to prepare smoked salmon by cooking it as well.
Some doctors and midwives suggest that smoked or raw salmon should be frozen for three days before consumption. This eliminates the risk of contracting anisakis or listeriosis. However, there are those who still advise against its consumption.
For these reasons, the best recommendation is to avoid or eliminate its consumption during the whole period of gestation and lactation. The best thing to do is to talk to your doctor and follow his or her recommendations so as not to run any unnecessary risks.
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