Can You Get UTI From Meat And Eggs Stored In Your Refrigerator?

A study by US researchers has shown that contaminated meat could be a source of human urinary tract infections (UTIs). The study showed that E.coli-contaminated meat could be adding to nearly half a million UTIs in the US each year. It further stated that nearly 30-70% of meat products that are sold in retail stores are contaminated with E.coli. This raises the question, is the food in your refrigerator causing the uncomfortable UTI?

Contaminated Meat Might Be Causing UTI

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) usually occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra and begin to multiply in the bladder. This very uncomfortable and painful infection is usually caused by poor hygiene, sexual activity, and certain health conditions. However, a study by US researchers has found that Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria-contaminated meat can also be adding to your UTI woes.

As per the study published in One Health journal, the bacteria found in meat could be a significant source of human urinary tract infections. According to an India Today report, the researchers found that foodborne E. coli could account for as many as 480,000 to 640,000 of the 6 to 8 million UTIs recorded in the United States each year.

The study further revealed that nearly 30-70% of packed meat products sold in stores in the USA contain E. coli. This underscores that indeed the packed meat and meat products in your refrigerator could be a major contributor to UTIs.

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Better Safe Than Sorry

As per the India Today report, between 1990 and 2019, there has been a massive 70% surge in UTI cases. What’s worse is there has also been a widespread use of antibiotics in livestock in the last few years. This has caused the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in humans. Now, if you have a UTI, you have to rely on antibiotics to get over it. Unfortunately, antibiotic resistance can complicate the treatment making infections harder to manage. It is a vicious cycle!

While the study’s findings have stirred a debate about contaminated meat’s association with UTI, it’s better to be safe than sorry. So, it’s best to be cautious about what you eat, where you get your food products from, and how you store them.

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We hope this information was helpful for you all.

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