What illness do you get from eating unrefrigerated chicken?

Here's why:

* Bacteria: Chicken, like other meat, is a breeding ground for bacteria, including Salmonella, Campylobacter, and E. coli. These bacteria thrive at room temperature and multiply rapidly.

* Symptoms: Food poisoning from unrefrigerated chicken can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever, and chills. Symptoms can appear within a few hours to several days after eating contaminated food.

Important Notes:

* Refrigeration is key: Always keep raw chicken refrigerated at 40°F (4°C) or below.

* Don't leave it out: Don't leave raw chicken out at room temperature for more than 2 hours (or 1 hour if the temperature is above 90°F).

* Thorough cooking: Cook chicken thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to kill harmful bacteria.

If you suspect you've gotten food poisoning, it's important to contact your doctor.