Poop happens! Unfortunately, poop ingestions happen too.

I can’t count the number of times I’ve answered calls to the Illinois Poison Center’s 800-222-1222 helpline and heard a tongue-tied parent, often in a gagging voice, explain that their child ate poop. These bewildered parents can’t understand why their child refuses the wonderful food they prepare, yet eagerly samples fecal matter instead.

Sometimes it’s their own stool from a diaper. Other times it’s from a family pet, or even random feces found in public places such as parks or sidewalks.

Fortunately, IPC call center staff are very familiar with these unusual—and admittedly gross—exposures. We’re here to discuss all the details and provide guidance on what symptoms to watch for.

In most common cases—especially when a child ingests their own stool or feces from a known, vaccinated, and dewormed household pet—the primary concern in an otherwise healthy child is mild gastrointestinal upset. Give us a call, and we’ll walk you through what to monitor and whether any follow-up is needed.

There are, however, other types of exposures such as inhaling feces/droppings as well as certain situations in which stool ingestion may be more concerning. These are outlined in the table below.

Problems Associated with Feces Exposure

Problem	Source and Causative Agent	Symptoms
Baylisascaris procyonis infection	Raccoon feces ingestion (those infected with Baylisascaris procyonis roundworm)	Nausea, tiredness, irritability, drowsiness, visual difficulties, lack of attention to people and surroundings, loss of coordination, loss of muscle control, paralysis, seizures, coma, death
Campylobacteriosis	Dog feces ingestion (those infected with Campylobacter bacteria)	Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhea (may be bloody), fever
Cryptococcosis	Pigeon dropping inhalation (those infected with Cryptococcus neoformans fungus)	Tiredness, headache, dry cough, nausea, vomiting, fever, malaise, chest pain, bloody sputum (cough or spit up), seizures, coma Note: Immunosuppressed people, especially those with HIV, have a higher risk for Cryptococcosis.
E. Coli gastroenteritis	Seagull feces ingestion and water contamination; Escherichia coli bacteria (Chicago beach closings)	Diarrhea (watery at first and later bloody), nausea, vomiting, severe stomach cramps, stomach tenderness
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome	Rat feces inhalation (if infected with Hantavirus)	Headache, nausea, fever, rapid heart rate, rapid breathing, difficulty breathing
Hepatitis A infection	Human feces ingestion (those infected with Hepatitis A virus)	Fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain, dark urine, gray colored stool, yellow skin and eyes
Histoplasmosis	Bat feces inhalation; Histoplasma capsulatum fungus	Headache, muscle aches, chills dry cough fever, chest discomfort Note: The stools of rabid bats, dogs and other animals do not pose a rabies risk.
Psittacosis	Birds and live poultry dried dropping inhalation; Chlamydia psittaci bacteria	Fatigue, chills, dry cough, fever, joint aches, headache, muscle aches, shortness of breath, bloody phlegm
Salmonellosis	Reptiles (turtles), birds, dogs, cats, hamsters, guinea pigs feces ingestion; Salmonella bacteria	Diarrhea (may be bloody), fever, stomach pain
Sewer gas	Hydrogen sulfide gas inhalation emitted from manure pits and sewers	Rotten egg smell, eye irritation, nose irritation, throat irritation, dry cough, decreased sense of smell, headache, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, fever, joint pain, vomiting, chest pain, unconsciousness, rapid death
Toxoplasmosis	Cat feces ingestion (those infected with the Toxoplasma gondii parasite)	Confusion, flu-like symptoms (body aches, fatigue, fever, headache, poor coordination, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes,) seizures Note:  Pregnant women are at greater risk as this infection can lead to miscarriage or passing the infection to the unborn child.
Tularemia	Rabbit feces ingestion and inhalation (those infected with Francisella tularensis bacteria)	Chills, enlarged lymph nodes, fever, headache, joint stiffness, muscle pain, shortness of breath, sweating, weight loss, red spot on skin
Viral gastroenteritis	Human feces ingestion (those infected with Norovirus)	Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, fever, headache, body ache, dehydration Note: Mass illness can occur on cruise ships.

The above table provides only an unwelcome taste of what can happen when people encounter various forms of fecal material. But don’t be scared, just be careful and always follow good hygiene and sanitary practices—including washing your hands thoroughly if you might have come into contact with any type of poop. If you have a question about any of the infectious diseases above that may be transmitted via fecal material, please discuss these issues with your primary care physician. Severe poisoning due to hydrogen sulfide, involving symptoms such as vomiting, chest pain, shortness of breath, unconsciousness, is a medical emergency requiring immediate medical management. Call 911 if someone is unconscious or is having difficulty breathing.

IPC’s free, confidential 1-800-222-1222 helpline is available any time of the day/any day of the year. Check out IPC’s “My Child Ate…” web resource with toxicity level and treatment information for the most common substances/products ingested by children—including poop. 

Click here for a complimentary safety packet (includes sticker, magnet, first aid tips) as well as here for free poison prevention education and a variety of educational resources.

Erin, PharmD, DABAT, CSPI