Many people wonder what is salmonella, especially when they hear of food product recalls.
Salmonellosis is an infection by the Salmonella bacteria, and, salmonella symptoms can be mild or severe.
Salmonellosis is fairly common, and, most of the time, people who get the infection have ingested (or eaten) the salmonella bacteria. Salmonella is a form of zoonosis, which means that it can be transmitted between animals and people.
Salmonella symptoms (like diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps) develop 12 to 72 hours after exposure, and a person with salmonella infection is usually sick for 4 to 7 days.
However, in some people like infants, elderly people or those who have immune deficiency conditions, salmonella poisoning can be severe and very serious.
Young children are more susceptible to salmonella bacteria than older children and healthy adults.
From time to time, we hear of a food recall because a food product or fresh produce has been contaminated with salmonella bacteria.
Salmonella bacteria live in the intestinal tracts of people and other animals, including dogs, cats and birds.
So how do you get salmonella? Usually a person who gets sick from salmonella poisoning has eaten food contaminated with the bacteria from animal (or human) feces.
Unfortunately you can’t tell by looking at the contaminated food or by smelling it.
Here are some of the ways you can get salmonella:
Handling beef or poultry that has been contaminated with fecal material.
Drinking milk that contains salmonella bacteria
Salmonella in eggs is fairly common. Eating raw eggs can expose you to the bacteria.
Eating vegetables that have been fertilized with manure and not properly washed.
Eating food at a restaurant where a food handler did not wash his hands after using the bathroom.
Cleaning up after a pet with diarrhea and not washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
Handling turtles, lizards and snakes—they often harbor Salmonella.
Being licked by a dog who is infected.
Salmonella Symptoms
The symptoms of salmonella are usually limited to fever, diarrhea which is sometimes bloody, and abdominal cramping. Most people recover in 4 to 7 days.
However, in some people, young children, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems, the disease can be more serious, including the rare possibility of death.
Those who suffer from diarrhea usually recover completely, although it might take a few months until normal bowel habits return.
A small number of people develop Reiter’s syndrome, which has symptoms like pain in the joints, irritation of the eyes and painful urination. It can last for months or even years and can lead to chronic arthritis.
Salmonella Prevention
Here are some steps that you can take to prevent salmonella infection:
Cook meat and poultry and eggs thoroughly.
Do not drink or eat foods containing raw eggs - shakes or Caesar salads.
When you handle raw meat or poultry in the kitchen, immediately wash (soap and water) the counters, all working spaces and your hands.
Wash your hands after handling all pets, especially reptiles and baby chicks.
Wash your hands after using the bathroom and after handling pet or human feces.
Don’t taste cookie dough before it is baked (raw eggs).
And, in addition, pay attention to food recalls that you may hear about in the news. Knowing what is Salmonella and taking a few steps to prevent Salmonella poisoning will help keep you and your family safe and healthy.
For more information about how to prevent a lot of different illnesses and situations, you might want to read A Paranoid's Ultimate Survival Guide.
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