Salmonella infection is an illness caused by a group of bacteria known as Salmonella. Salmonella bacteria are a common cause of diarrhea but can also infect other parts of the body, including the blood, bones, and joints.
What are the symptoms of Salmonella infection?
Symptoms can develop between 12 to 72 hours after infection. They typically last from 4 to 7 days and may include:
- Diarrhea.
- Abdominal cramps.
- Headache.
- Fever.
- Vomiting.
- Dehydration (loss of body fluids), especially in infants and the elderly.
Salmonella infection can be severe in individuals with weakened immune systems.
How is Salmonella infection transmitted?
Salmonella bacteria leave the body through the feces of infected humans and animals. Others can become infected when their hands, food, or objects contaminated with feces are ingested.
Individuals infected with Salmonella can spread the bacteria to others if they do not wash their hands thoroughly after using the restroom.
A person can become infected with Salmonella by:
- Eating food or drinking water or milk contaminated with Salmonella bacteria.
- Eating or touching the mouth after handling infected animals without washing hands first. Infected animals often do not appear sick. Commonly infected animals include chickens, ducks, pigs, cattle, rodents, and reptiles like snakes, lizards, and turtles. Pets are a common source of infection.
- Eating ready-to-eat foods (foods that do not require cooking) prepared on surfaces contaminated with Salmonella.
How is Salmonella infection diagnosed and treated?
- Salmonella infection is typically diagnosed through stool tests to detect the bacteria.
- Most people recover without treatment. Occasionally, antibiotics are used for those with severe illness. Antibiotics may also be beneficial for infants and individuals with certain chronic conditions.
- It is important to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
Washing hands thoroughly is the best way to prevent the spread of gastrointestinal infections.
How to prevent Salmonella infection?
- Washing hands thoroughly is the best way to prevent the spread of gastrointestinal infections.
- Wash hands with soap and warm water after using the restroom, changing diapers, handling animals, and before eating or preparing food.
- Do not allow reptiles in areas where young children eat or bathe.
- Do not keep reptiles and amphibians in homes with children under 5 years old or individuals with weakened immune systems.
- Cook all meats thoroughly, especially poultry.
- Do not eat raw or undercooked eggs.
- Only drink pasteurized milk.
- Thaw meat and poultry in the refrigerator instead of at room temperature.
- Refrigerate food promptly.
- Wash cutting boards and countertops used for meat or poultry preparation immediately after use to avoid cross-contamination with other foods.
- Do not swim in pools or lakes if you have diarrhea.
NOTE: Individuals with diarrhea should not prepare or serve food or drinks to others, care for children, or provide health care. Children with diarrhea should not attend daycare or school.
