To cancel a camping trip

[BristolZoo]

Yesterday afternoon my kids (9 and 11) accidentally ate some raw chicken.
It was from one of those breaded chicken packs, which they thought was pre-cooked, but wasnt.
Ive had a good Google and it says that they could be ill in around 2-3 days time.
We are supposed to be camping this weekend and the thought of camping with two kids with food poisoning is awful to say the least!

DH thinks im nuts because they seem fine today. But we'll lose the money of we dont cancel today.
I cant decide!

One of my kids got a bit sick from undercooked chicken once and that manifested within a few hours of eating it (and they threw up once and then slept it off). It's highly unlikely one mouthful will cause an issue.

Cancel it anyway! Camping is holidaying in conditions that you wouldn’t tolerate at home.

My DH has form for this. Raw chicken and raw pork.

Neither resulted in any ill effects at all.

My sister ate raw chicken in a restaurant and was really ill that evening. Take some Imodium and wipes, an extra couple of towels and a few bits just in case but I imagine if they are ok and no cramps yet then you will probably be fine.

This is definitely a massive over reaction. Unless you're looking for any excuse to not go camping. Which is fair.

Most people will get ill pretty fast.

Most breaded chicken tends to be precooked as well because well it looks and holds better to the chicken. Just crumbs on a raw breast isn’t going to look appealing.

Id still camp and I’ve had a bowel issue flare up while camping which involved a few walks at 2am to the toilet block. It’s very peaceful at that time and the toilet/shower blocks pristine.

Is immodium recommended for food poisoning? It doesn't sound like a good idea to try to keep the poison in your body longer.

You are right it is not recommended and you keep the bad stuff trapped inside rather than flushing it out via the diarrhoea.

But maybe immodium might delay the inevitable until we got home, if we needed to?

Has anyone used charcoal tablets to help with food poisoning? A friend has recommended them as a standby.

You have brought my memories of camping with my son, in a tent with a sewn in groundsheet. He threw up the first night and everything, tent, sleeping bags etc was completely covered in vomit. Oh god it was awful.

There is no proven effect from over the counter doses.

Medical settings use a very high concentration when they use it and that’s not for food poisoning.

You’d be better off if they come down with it to just let it play out and get it out. Trying to hold it in will just make the after effects worse and the cramps horrible.

If you actually want to go camping: Most tend to be precooked anyway. Not all raw chicken will make you ill. I’ve had food poisoning and I’ve been sick by the evening.

If you don’t actually want to go and need an excuse: The kids will 100% get sick. Don’t go and risk it. It will be grim. It’s bad enough being sick at home but in a field- nope!

🤢why on earth would you do that on purpose

I’ve eaten raw chicken by accident twice when it was served to me in a restaurant . I was bracing myself for getting ill but didn’t . Not all chickens carry salmonella or other bacteria so it isn’t guaranteed they will get sick . If they do get sick you can always leave .

My daughter ate some ham that had gone off (green and slimy) just as she was taking her GCSEs. I was worried too that she would be ill. She was fine. But I went to the doctor and asked what was the best thing to do and she advised charcoal tablets. Apparently they are often given to people who have taken an overdose as it absorbs any bacteria. So I would do it as a preventative. Dissolve them in water if they struggle to take them with a spoonful of sugar.

That type of chicken isn’t raw, it’s processed and whilst requires oven cooking before eating ( including for the coating), the chicken isn’t raw. They’ll be fine.

They are unlikely to get ill in the circumstances.

I know incubation periods can be longer than a few hours but they usually aren't. I've had food poisoning from eggs twice - once ill within 2-3 hours. The other time about 12 hours until vomiting started but feeling sick a few hours before. Been ill from chicken twice (not undercooked but left out too long). Again both within a few hours. So it's usually quite quick at being evident.

Take some pepto bismal

I think the chances of getting ill are low, but not at all likely
especially from M&S where I’m sure hygiene will be pretty good

Surely you go and just come home if they get sick

If I were you I’d risk it. The chances of having food poisoning are far smaller than the chances of them being fine.

Your husband probably doesn’t care because he thinks he won’t be involved in any care if they do get sick but just make sure he knows he WILL be before making any final decision.

Do NOT use immodium for any type of food poisoning. You need to get it out of your body

I’m not a dr, I guess I meant get all the upset stomach medication stuff… obviously consult an actual dr if you get food poisoning and also head the chemist for some supplies before you go just in case!!

Do you live all of your life on 'what if...
.'scenario?

In the circumstances I’d go but I’d take a sick bowl and loads of wipes and bin liners with me.

And yes, make it clear to DH that if the worst happens you will both be dealing with them while they’re ill.