Raw eggs are dangerous for elderly people

Question

https://commhealthcare.com/healthy-foods-seniors-should-avoid/#:~:text=Raw%20eggs,unfortunate%20health%20consequences%20for%20seniors.

Answer 1

I believe this claim is true. 

According to Australian Eggs, "Children, pregnant women, elderly people, and others with weak immune systems should definitely avoid raw eggs."

AustralianEggs

Healthline furthers this claim by saying, "Those who are older, pregnant, living with a compromised immune system, and young children should avoid eating raw eggs and foods that contain them — especially if the eggs have not been pasteurized."

HealthLine

The FDA explains the dangers of getting salmonella, "Salmonella, the name of a group of bacteria, is a common cause of food poisoning in the United States. Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps, and vomiting 12 to 72 hours after infection. Symptoms usually last 4 to 7 days and most people get better without treatment. However, in some people, the diarrhea may be so severe that they need to be hospitalized. In these patients, the Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the blood stream, and then to other body sites and can cause death unless the person is treated quickly with antibiotics."

FDA

The CDC says, "Some groups of people are more likely to get infected and get seriously ill. These groups include children younger than 5 years, adults 65 years and older, and people who have a weakened immune system because of a health problem or medicine that lowers the body’s ability to fight germs and sickness." 

CDC

Therefore, although eating raw eggs can cause salmonella in every age group and healthy and unhealthy individuals, eating raw eggs is more dangerous for people with compromised immune systems and older people whose immune systems are not as strong as they used to be. These individuals have a higher chance of getting more complications of getting Salmonella as their bodies may not be strong enough to fight the bacteria when it gets in their bloodstream, leading to worse outcomes than other individuals who are younger and healthier. 

Answer 2

This article states that children, pregnant women, elderly people, and others with weak immune systems should not consume raw eggs. It's because they will be at higher risk of getting a foodborne illness.

https://www.australianeggs.org.au/facts-and-tips/eating-raw-eggs#:~:text=Eating%20raw%20eggs%20also%20comes,should%20definitely%20avoid%20raw%20eggs.

Comments

I believe that your quote does accurately back up your assertion of the claim. However, I am not sure about the reputation of your source. Perhaps if this quote was used in addition to another source, it would be better for the overall fact check.

Answer 3

This is true.

According to the Community HomeCare website, raw eggs are dangerous for seniors to consume. The article states that "raw eggs present a salmonella risk and can have unfortunate health consequences for seniors." It is recommended that seniors eat cooked eggs to avoid this risk. Here is the link for the article:

https://commhealthcare.com/healthy-foods-seniors-should-avoid/

Comments

Going forward, it's best to dig deeper and use a source to support your fact-check that isn't within the claim itself (re: commonhealthcare.com).

Answer 4

This is true. According to the CDC, "rarely, Salmonella can spread to the bloodstream and cause a life-threatening infection. Some groups of people are more likely to get infected and get seriously ill. These groups include children younger than 5 years, adults 65 years and older, and people who have a weakened immune system because of a health problem or medicine that lowers the body’s ability to fight germs and sickness." There are more risks associated with eating a raw egg for those with weaker immune systems (young children and elderly included) due to the bacteria inside a raw egg, therefore if the bacteria enters the body, a weak immune system may be unable to fight it. 

https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/communication/salmonella-and-eggs.html 

Answer 5

Yes, elderly people can be affected by raw eggs, but according to The U.S. Department of Agriculture pregnant women, people with health problems, and young children are also at risk of eating raw eggs. If you want to learn more about why you shouldn't consume certain foods here is the link to the article.

https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/Who-is-at-risk-for-eating-raw-or-undercooked-eggs

Answer 6

According to an article by Australian Eggs, Children, Elderly, and Pregnant Women should avoid eating raw eggs as they are more vulnerable to illnesses associated with eating raw eggs. 

Making sure eggs are cooked properly before consumption is always the safest way to consume eggs. 

https://www.australianeggs.org.au/facts-and-tips/eating-raw-eggs#:~:text=Eating%20raw%20eggs%20also%20comes,should%20definitely%20avoid%20raw%20eggs.

Answer 7

This is true. According to the Clevel and Clinic, raw eggs aren’t safe to eat if they’re unpasteurized. They could contain harmful bacteria. “I’m not going to recommend anybody eat raw eggs,” said registered dietitian Beth Czerwony, RD, LD.

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/can-you-eat-raw-eggs/

Answer 8

Your claim is true.

When consuming raw eggs or undercooked eggs there is an increased chance of food contamination, e-coli, and salmonella. Elderly people should especially avoid undercooked eggs as their body has a weaker immune system. 

This statement is backed up by an article from Fred Cicetti in LiveScience that list off a multitude of food that play a risk to those with a weaker immune system, including the elderly: Food Poisoning: Are Older Adults At Greater Risk? | Live Science

Furthermore, eggs are recommended to be cooked scrambled as they still provide good nutrients for the age group:

What Should an Elderly Person Eat for Breakfast? "Eggs" (devotedguardians.com)

Answer 9

According to this article Pregnant women, children, elderly people, and people with weak immune systems should not consume raw eggs because they are susceptible for food borne illness.

https://www.australianeggs.org.au/facts-and-tips/eating-raw-eggs#:~:text=Eating%20raw%20eggs%20also%20comes,should%20definitely%20avoid%20raw%20eggs.

Answer 10

According to dietitian Beth Czerwony, RD, in a published article on Cleveland Clinic's website, Raw eggs aren’t safe to eat if they’re unpasteurized; meaning they have not been heated so bacteria are killed off. 

For people aged 65 and above, who are likely to have weak immune systems or inflammatory bowel diseases should also especially steer clear of raw eggs.

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/can-you-eat-raw-eggs/