Man fights for life after slug-eating dare Updated 1 hour 57 minutes ago

Health authorities are warning of the dangers of eating slugs as a Sydney man battles a rare form of meningitis.

The 21-year-old caught rat lungworm disease after he ate a slug as a dare some time ago.

He is now in a critical condition in hospital.

The disease is caused by a parasitic worm that is carried by slugs and snails.

In some instances, the worm can cause fatal swelling of the brain and spinal chord.

Doctor Jeremy McAnulty from New South Wales Health says these cases are rare and most people can recover.

"It goes away by itself because the body's immune system will eventually get rid of it," he said.

The disease can also be caught from raw vegetables or fruit which have not been washed properly.

Tags: health, diseases-and-disorders, food-safety, australia, nsw, sydney-2000

First posted 2 hours 41 minutes ago

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Submitted on 05/12/2010

Submitted by: Jean
Reference: From ABC Autralia Online, Wednesday 13/5/10

Copyright © 2010 DarwinAwards.com

Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
This has go to be the single most bizarre dare I've ever heard of! Thanks, Jean!

Candi said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
Even without the parasites, the slime of slugs can be more or less toxic. Idiot! Thanks, Jean!

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