Undercooked Burger ER Visit - IHOP, Cambridge Massachusetts

16 Eliot Street, Cambridge, 02138 Massachusetts, United States

My sister and I went to IHOP in Harvard for lunch on Wednesday January 30th, 2019. She got cupcake pancakes and I got the classic steakburger with bacon. Upon arrival, I had noticed that the kitchen had forgotten to put the bacon on my burger. The waitress apologized, and she said she would bring a couple strips to me. I didn't want to eat all of my burger before they brought the bacon to me, so I started eating my fries instead.

They were taking a very long time with the bacon, as I had almost finished all of my fries. My sister said I should start eating my burger before it got cold, and I was actually thinking the same thing. It was only a little warm, and it was rarer than I'd normally order (they forgot to ask me how I wanted it cooked). When they finally brought the bacon, I already ate half the burger. I finished it with the long-awaited bacon applied, and there was no problem (yet).

There were no symptoms for the rest of the day, and most of the next day. However, at around 8:00 PM, I started feeling nauseous. We had ordered Papa John's, and I felt sick before I even started eating. Around 9:00 PM, I felt terrible, so I went to the bathroom. Soon after, I violently vomited all of the Papa John's into the toilet. Not long after, I started having uncontrollable diarrhea that accompanied the vomiting. So here I am, soaked in my own diarrhea, hanging over the puke bucket, waiting for the next round. I ruined my comforter, throw blanket, sheet, and mattress pad in the process. I also ruined my nice Nike sweatpants that I had purchased fairly recently ($50.00 down the drain). Overcome by lethargy, I had no sense of time, and around 1:00 AM, I was brought to the Somerville ER by ambulance after I saw blood in my diarrhea.

The doctors took some samples, put me on an IV, and gave me antibiotics. At this time, my diarrhea was completely red, and not solid at all (not to mention that it smelled very unpleasant). I was transported to Cambridge Hospital to be kept as an inpatient for a few days. There they confirmed my suspicion that the burger was to blame. I was stuck on a clear fluid diet of broth and juice until my diarrhea subsided. I was then put on a BRAT diet to make sure I could keep solid food down.

By Saturday afternoon, I was back home, and I was able to attend school on Monday (I'm 17). What I've learned from this experience is to NEVER ORDER A BURGER FROM IHOP AGAIN. | Symptoms: Diarrhea, Nausea, Vomiting