Can you get sick from rotting potatoes.

1. 53

   Darkwolf Drakeposted 14 years ago

   Can you get sick from rotting potatoes.
   
   my son has been very sick. he is now on a three week regime of antibiotic. i was cleaning the pantry and found that my sis-in law had put a bag of potatoes in a spot behind the washer. instead of where they go. they have been there for almost two months. I have been wondering where all the flies have been coming from. Could this be the cause??? And if i take care of the problem will he be okay???

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2. 77

   Sweetsusiegposted 14 years ago

   The only thing that I truly KNOW about potatoes is they cannot be stored with onions, as the both produce a gas that causes each other to rot.
   
   Usually before anyone gets the opportunity to be sick, a rotting smell will be emitted, causing you to do a thorough search to find the smell.  I have never heard of anyone getting sick from potatoes, other than the one cleaning up the mess vomiting from the smell.  It is putrid.
   
   You'll have to rely on your Dr's advice on your son's illness. 
   
   Cleanliness is always a plus when dealing with children and flies can spread filth.

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3. 76

   Aficionadaposted 14 years ago

   I have heard and read that the sprouts from potatoes are mildly (or maybe more than mildly) poisonous.  I have never known how deep into the potato the toxin could go.  But if the potatoes you mention  were sprouting (rather than rotting), and if whoever prepared them did not trim away enough of the sprout, then that might cause some sickness. 
   
   However, I personally don't believe that it would be a three-week long sickness, but possibly something more like food poisoning.  That is just my opinion and not based on any actual medical knowledge about potatoes and sickness. 
   
   Your very best bet is to tell and ask the doctor about it, as Sweetsusieg wrote. 
   
   The smell of rotting potatoes is indeed one of the worst ones that can happen inside anyone's kitchen.

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4. 55

   Cristi Lavinposted 11 years ago

   You are very lucky he didnt die! See a recent news:
   
   http://en.rian.ru/russia/20130823/18292 … ators.html

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