Love Sushi? Be Aware of This…

Do you like seafood? If you do, you’re in good company. Sushi (little rolls of uncooked fish, rice and veggies) made popular by the Japanese, has become a particular favorite around the world. With so many great nutrients, it can be part of any healthy diet. However, if not stored properly, sushi can carry a parasite you really don’t want to catch. Recently, a sushi infection claiming an unsuspecting victim has reminded people of these health concerns.

A Creepy Stomach Parasite? Ew!

Anisakiasis is a parasitic disease that you can get if you eat raw or undercooked seafood that’s been contaminated by the parasite. A case study published in BMJ Case Reports hopes to inform people about possible infections from sushi by telling the story of a man from Portugal who contracted anisakiasis; a parasite actually took up residence and attached itself to his stomach from sushi he ate.

The man complained at the hospital of stomach pain, fever, and vomiting, all of which are symptoms of the disease… but, they are pretty common symptoms of a lot of stomach ailments. When he admitted to having recently eaten sushi, though, the doctors used an endoscope and found the parasite larva attached to his stomach lining. Luckily, by getting the right diagnosis and having it removed, the man recovered. Other symptoms can also include digestive bleeding, inflammation, blocked bowels, and even serious allergy symptoms. 

Know Your Sushi

According to NYU Langone Medical Center infectious disease specialist Dr. Daniel Eiras, anisakiasis is rare in the United States. However, with the growth in popularity of raw seafood in Western cultures, it’s important for people to know about the disease so that they can take care of themselves. After all, with such common symptoms, it could easily go undiagnosed or be mistaken for food poisoning. By knowing where your sushi is coming from and seeing that your restaurant follows proper refrigeration regulations, you can lower your risk of getting the parasite. In other words, don’t get your sushi rolls from a restaurant that looks a little sketchy.

Staying aware of the world around you and what you eat is a part of living healthily. This doesn’t mean you should avoid sushi, of course. With a little precaution and a willingness to ask for help if you notice any symptoms, your sushi-loving days will still going strong.