However, in Georgia, most of these infections occur in children less than 5 years old, especially babies less than two years old. Small children come in contact with the bacteria in the kitchen where chitterlings are cleaned. The bacteria contaminates hands and kitchen surfaces. Anything that has touched raw chitterlings or their juice could have the bacteria present. Symptoms usually begin within 3 to 7 days.
Common symptoms are diarrhea, fever and stomach pains.
Younger children and babies sometimes have severe bloody diarrhea. Older children and adults may experience appendicitis-like abdominal pain. Some people will have to be hospitalized. Work with chitlins in one small area of the kitchen. This boiling process will kill the bacteria so it will not spread throughout the kitchen.