NationStates Jolt Archive

During a camping trip a while back, I brought along several packages of sealed, unopened beef jerky. Shortly before falling asleep, I opened one and ate it. After waking up the next morning, part of my gum was swollen. I knew it was an infection, so I brushed my teeth vigorously and swished hydrogen peroxide several times. The swelling went down and an hour later disappeared. Since then, I've always brushed quickly after eating any type of jerky, playing it safe. I'm wondering if the infection could have possibly been caused by anaerobic bacteria, seeing as how jerky is air-tight. Has anyone ever experienced something similar to this? :confused:

Jerky can be pretty tough. You could have cut your gum slightly eating the jerky, then had it get infected another way. Out camping, it's not too surprising to get an infection if you don't realize you've got an open wound.

During a camping trip a while back, I brought along several packages of sealed, unopened beef jerky. Shortly before falling asleep, I opened one and ate it. After waking up the next morning, part of my gum was swollen. I knew it was an infection, so I brushed my teeth vigorously and swished hydrogen peroxide several times. The swelling went down and an hour later disappeared. Since then, I've always brushed quickly after eating any type of jerky, playing it safe. I'm wondering if the infection could have possibly been caused by anaerobic bacteria, seeing as how jerky is air-tight. Has anyone ever experienced something similar to this? :confused:
I've never experienced anything like that from Beef Jerkey, but anarobic bacteria that eat meat are fairly common, so it's quite possible that's what got you.

If you make your own dried sausages you probably know that anaerobic, lactose-producing bacteria are used to help cure some sausages.

During a camping trip a while back, I brought along several packages of sealed, unopened beef jerky. Shortly before falling asleep, I opened one and ate it. After waking up the next morning, part of my gum was swollen. I knew it was an infection, so I brushed my teeth vigorously and swished hydrogen peroxide several times. The swelling went down and an hour later disappeared. Since then, I've always brushed quickly after eating any type of jerky, playing it safe. I'm wondering if the infection could have possibly been caused by anaerobic bacteria, seeing as how jerky is air-tight. Has anyone ever experienced something similar to this? :confused:


Its jerky...yuck!

During a camping trip a while back, I brought along several packages of sealed, unopened beef jerky. Shortly before falling asleep, I opened one and ate it. After waking up the next morning, part of my gum was swollen. I knew it was an infection, so I brushed my teeth vigorously and swished hydrogen peroxide several times. The swelling went down and an hour later disappeared. Since then, I've always brushed quickly after eating any type of jerky, playing it safe. I'm wondering if the infection could have possibly been caused by anaerobic bacteria, seeing as how jerky is air-tight. Has anyone ever experienced something similar to this? :confused:

I actually happen to know a bit about this. The beef was probably contaminated with anaerobic clostridium which thrives in the absence of air. It generally thrives in soil, swamp water or lactose rich environments. This bacteria is potentially harmful; can cause gangrene. I'd hold on to the wrappers and maybe contact the people who made it. Sounds as though they got some funky beef.