A recent Associated Press article published in The Pantagraph encouraged people to put aside their fear of raw eggs and enjoy fresh eggnog for the holidays. The article emphasizes the joy of fresh eggnog but downplays the risk associated with consuming raw eggs.

Though the chance of an egg containing salmonella is relatively small, according to the FDA, approximately 118,000 illnesses a year result from salmonella-contaminated eggs. The risk of salmonella is serious and should not be taken lightly.

Salmonella is bacteria that can be present in raw eggs, meat, poultry and milk. Salmonella can cause diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramping. While most people recover without complications, some have severe diarrhea and require hospitalization.

The infection can spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and other areas of the body. It can cause death unless the person is promptly treated with antibiotics. Those at greatest risk for complications are infants, young children, older adults, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems.

A small number of people may also develop pain in their joints, irritation of the eyes and painful urination. This is called Reiter's syndrome and can last for months or years and it can eventually lead to chronic arthritis.

People infected with salmonella can also spread it to others.

Though a healthy person may recover completely from the infection, someone else who catches it may not be so fortunate.

This illustrates why public health officials strongly advise against consuming any foods that contain raw eggs, including eggnog. It would be unfortunate for a happy holiday toast to result in a serious bacterial infection.

Larry Carius

Bloomington

The writer is food program supervisor, McLean County Health Department.

Do you agree?