What is salmonellosis?
Salmonellosis is an infection with bacteria called
Salmonella. Most persons
infected with Salmonella
develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after
infection. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most persons
recover without treatment. However, in some persons, the diarrhea
may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. In these
patients, the Salmonella
infection may spread from the intestines to the blood stream, and
then to other body sites and can cause death unless the person is
treated promptly with antibiotics. The elderly, infants, and those
with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe
illness-
What sort of germ is Salmonella?
Salmonella
is actually a group of bacteria that can cause diarrheal illness in
humans. They are microscopic living creatures that pass from the
feces of people or animals to other people or other animals. There
are many different kinds of Salmonella bacteria.
Salmonella serotype Typhimurium and
Salmonella
serotype Enteritidis are the most common in the United States.
Salmonella germs
have been known to cause illness for over 100 years. They were
discovered by an American scientist named Salmon, for whom they are
named.
How can Salmonella infections be diagnosed?
Many
different kinds of illnesses can cause diarrhea, fever, or abdominal
cramps. Determining that
Salmonella is the cause of the illness depends on
laboratory tests that identify
Salmonella in the stool of an infected person. Once
Salmonella has been
identified, further testing can determine its specific type.
How can Salmonella infections be treated?
Salmonella
infections usually resolve in 5-7 days and often do not require
treatment other than oral fluids. Persons with severe diarrhea may
require rehydration with intravenous fluids. Antibiotics, such as
ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, or ciprofloxacin, are not
usually necessary unless the infection spreads from the intestines.
Some Salmonella
bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics, largely as a result
of the use of antibiotics to promote the growth of food animals
Are there long term consequences to a Salmonella infection?
Persons with diarrhea usually recover completely, although it may be
several months before their bowel habits are entirely normal. A
small number of persons with
Salmonella develop pain in their joints, irritation of
the eyes, and painful urination. This is called Reiter's syndrome.
It can last for months or years, and can lead to chronic arthritis
which is difficult to treat. Antibiotic treatment does not make a
difference in whether or not the person develops arthritis.
How do people catch Salmonella?
Salmonella
live in the intestinal tracts of humans and other animals, including
birds. Salmonella
are usually transmitted to humans by eating foods contaminated with
animal feces. Contaminated foods usually look and smell normal.
Contaminated foods are often of animal origin, such as beef,
poultry, milk, or eggs, but any food, including vegetables, may
become contaminated. Thorough cooking kills
Salmonella. Food may
also become contaminated by the hands of an infected food handler
who did not wash hands with soap after using the bathroom.
Salmonella may also
be found in the feces of some pets, especially those with diarrhea,
and people can become infected if they do not wash their hands after
contact with pets or pet feces. Reptiles, such as turtles, lizards,
and snakes, are particularly likely to harbor
Salmonella. Many chicks
and young birds carry Salmonella
in their feces. People should always wash their hands immediately
after handling a reptile or bird, even if the animal is healthy.
Adults should also assure that children wash their hands after
handling a reptile or bird, or after touching its environment.
What can a person do to prevent this illness?
There is no vaccine to prevent salmonellosis. Because foods of
animal origin may be contaminated with
Salmonella, people
should not eat raw or undercooked eggs, poultry, or meat. Raw eggs
may be unrecognized in some foods, such as homemade Hollandaise
sauce, Caesar and other homemade salad dressings, tiramisu, homemade
ice cream, homemade mayonnaise, cookie dough, and frostings. Poultry
and meat, including hamburgers, should be well-cooked, not pink in
the middle. Persons also should not consume raw or unpasteurized
milk or other dairy products. Produce should be thoroughly washed.
Cross-contamination of foods should be avoided. Uncooked meats
should be kept separate from produce, cooked foods, and ready-to-eat
foods. Hands, cutting boards, counters, knives, and other utensils
should be washed thoroughly after touching uncooked foods. Hand
should be washed before handling food, and between handling
different food items.
People who have salmonellosis should not prepare food or pour water
for others until their diarrhea has resolved. Many health
departments require that restaurant workers with
Salmonella infection
have a stool test showing that they are no longer carrying the
Salmonella bacterium
before they return to work.
People should wash their hands after contact with animal feces.
Because reptiles are particularly likely to have
Salmonella, and it can
contaminate their skin, everyone should immediately wash their hands
after handling reptiles. Reptiles (including turtles) are not
appropriate pets for small children and should not be in the same
house as an infant. Salmonella
carried in the intestines of chicks and ducklings
contaminates their environment and the entire surface of the animal.
Children can be exposed to the bacteria by simply holding, cuddling,
or kissing the birds. Children should not handle baby chicks or
other young birds. Everyone should immediately wash their hands
after touching birds, including baby chicks and ducklings, or their
environment.
http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/dfbmd/disease_listing/salmonellosis_gi.html
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