Salmonella infection is spread by eating food contaminated by feces of an infected animal or person, or by drinking contaminated water. It can also be spread from person-to-person. Proper hand washing and safe food handling are key to preventing food-borne illnesses such as Salmonellosis. Where is Salmonella found? Salmonella is found in domestic and wild animals, including poultry, wild birds, swine, cattle, and rodents. Reptiles such as iguanas, bearded dragons, turtles, and domestic pets such as chicks, dogs and cats may harbour the bacteria.
Humans are carriers of certain types of salmonella. How are Salmonella outbreaks caused? Outbreaks have been caused by inadequately cooked poultry and poultry products, uncooked or lightly cooked foods containing egg and egg products, raw milk and dairy products including dried milk.
Foods have been contaminated with feces from infected food handlers. Salmonella infections have been caused by foods such as meat and poultry products processed or prepared with contaminated utensils or on contaminated work surfaces.
Salmonella outbreaks have also been linked to raw fruits and vegetables including sprouts and unpasteurized milk and milk products such as raw milk cheese.
Contaminated water supplies can also cause salmonella infections. Fecal-oral transmission may be the cause when diarrhea is present in infants. Also, follow these recommendations by the CDC:. If your symptoms get worse or you get new symptoms, let your healthcare provider know. If your diarrhea continues more than a few days or gets worse, you may get dehydrated and need IV fluids. Health Home Conditions and Diseases. What causes salmonella infections?
Who is at risk for salmonella infections? Certain factors can increase your risk for getting salmonella. These factors include: Eating raw or undercooked eggs, poultry, and beef, or unwashed fresh fruits and vegetables, including raw alfalfa sprouts Handling animals or pets, such as turtles, snakes, and lizards What are the symptoms of salmonella infections?
Symptoms develop 12 to 72 hours after infection and may include: Diarrhea Fever Abdominal cramps Chills Headache Nausea or vomiting The symptoms of salmonella infections may look like other conditions or medical problems. How are salmonella infections diagnosed? How are salmonella infections treated? Your healthcare provider will figure out the best treatment for you based on: How old you are Your overall health and past health How sick you are How well you can handle specific medicines, procedures, or therapies How long the condition is expected to last Your opinion or preference These infections generally run their course in 4 to 7 days.
What are the complications of salmonella infections? Can salmonella infections be prevented? Also, follow these recommendations by the CDC: Make sure all poultry, meats, seafood, and eggs, are well-cooked.
Do not consume raw or unpasteurized milk or other dairy products. Do not consume raw or undercooked eggs. Discard cracked eggs. Keep eggs refrigerated. Thoroughly wash produce before eating it. Avoid cross-contamination of foods. Keep uncooked meats separate from produce, cooked foods, and ready-to-eat foods.
Thoroughly wash all utensils, including cutting boards, knives, and counters, after handling uncooked foods. People who have these animals as pets can get salmonellosis if they handle the reptiles and get the bacteria on their hands. Salmonella can spread to people in foods contaminated by infected animal feces. This can happen when foods such as poultry, eggs, and beef are not cooked enough. Fruit and vegetables can also be contaminated from feces in the soil or water where they're grown.
People with salmonellosis can spread the infection from several days to several weeks after they've been infected — even if their symptoms have disappeared or they've been treated with antibiotics.
Not everyone who ingests Salmonella bacteria will become ill. Children, especially infants, are most likely to get sick from it. About 50, cases of salmonellosis are reported in the United States each year and about one third of those are in kids 4 years old or younger.
People at risk for more serious complications from a Salmonella infection include those who:. In these higher-risk groups, most doctors will treat an infection with antibiotics to prevent it from spreading to other parts of the body.
Antibiotics do not appear to help a healthy person whose infection is not severe — and may actually lengthen the amount of time the person will carry the bacteria. Because many different illnesses can cause similar symptoms such as nausea, fever, cramping, and diarrhea , doctors may send a stool poop sample to the lab for testing. A severe Salmonella infection will require more testing to see which specific germ is causing the illness and which antibiotics can be used to treat it.
If your child has salmonellosis and a healthy immune system, your doctor may let the infection pass without giving any medicines. But any time a child develops a fever, headache, or bloody diarrhea, call the doctor to rule out any other problems.
If your child is infected and has a fever, you may want to give acetaminophen to lower the temperature and relieve cramping. As with any infection that causes diarrhea, it's important to give your child plenty of liquids to avoid dehydration. Salmonellosis symptoms can take from 6 to 72 hours to start after someone ingests the bacteria. In most people, the illness lasts for 4 to 7 days after symptoms begin.
Hand washing is a powerful way to guard against Salmonella infections.
0コメント