Salmonellosis 

What is salmonellosis?                                                         Image:  Samonella bacteria; Source:  CDC

Salmonellosis is an infection caused by the Salmonella bacteria. Symptoms may include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps.

People may be sick 4-7 days, and most recover without treatment. However, in some persons the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness. 

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.

How can Salmonella infections be treated?

Salmonella infections often do not require treatment unless the patient becomes severely dehydrated or if it spreads from the intestines. Persons with severe diarrhea may require rehydration.

How do people get Salmonella?

People usually get salmonella by eating foods contaminated with animal feces. Contaminated foods usually look and smell normal. Contaminated foods are often from animals, such as beef, poultry, milk, or eggs, but all foods, including vegetables can become contaminated. Fortunately, thorough cooking kills Salmonella. Food may also become contaminated by the unwashed hands of an infected food handler, who forgot to wash his or her 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 these feces. Reptiles are likely to harbor Salmonella and people should always wash their hands immediately after handling a reptile.

How do I prevent Salmonella infection?

• Cook poultry, ground beef, and eggs thoroughly before eating.
• Do not eat or drink foods containing raw eggs, or raw unpasteurized milk. 
• If you are served undercooked meat, poultry or eggs in a restaurant, don't hesitate to send it back to the kitchen for further cooking. 
• Wash hands, kitchen work surfaces, and utensils with soap and water immediately after they have been in contact with raw meat or poultry.
• Wash hands with soap after handling reptiles or birds, or after contact with pet feces. 
• Avoid direct or even indirect contact between reptiles (turtles, iguanas, other lizards, snakes) and infants or persons with impaired immune systems.
• Don't work with raw poultry or meat, and an infant (e.g., feed, change diaper) at the same time. 

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For additional information, visit the Centers for Disease Control.