Salmonellosis is an infection with a bacterium called Salmonella. Most persons infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually last 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 sites and cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics. The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have severe illness.

Salmonella

The Salmonella germ is actually a group of bacteria that can cause diarrheal illness in humans. Salmonella passes from the feces of people or animals to other people or animals. Among the many different kinds of Salmonella bacteria, Salmonella serotype Typhimurium and Salmonella serotype Enteritidis are the most common in the United States.

Diagnosing Salmonellosis

Other illnesses have the same symptoms as Salmonellosis, such as diarrhea, fever, or abdominal cramps. Determining that Salmonella is the cause of the illness depends on laboratory tests that identify it in the stools of an infected person. These tests are sometimes not performed unless the laboratory is instructed specifically to look for Salmonella. Once identified, further testing can determine its specific type, and which antibiotics are used to treat it.

Long-Term Consequences of Salmonellosis

Persons with diarrhea usually recover completely, although it may be several months before their bowel habits are entirely normal. A small number of people who are infected with Salmonella, will go on to develop pains in their joints, irritation of eyes, and painful urination. This is called Reiter's syndrome and can last for months or years, leading to chronic arthritis which is difficult to treat. Antibiotic treatment does not make a difference in whether or not the person later develops arthritis.

Contracting Salmonellosis

Salmonella bacteria 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 all foods, including vegetables may become contaminated. Thorough cooking will kill Salmonella in raw foods of animal origin, which are frequently contaminated. Food can also become contaminated when an infected food handler forgets 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 and turtles are particularly like to harbor Salmonella and people should always wash their hands immediately after handling a reptile, even if the reptile is healthy. Adults should be careful that children wash their hands after handling a reptile.

Preventing Salmonellosis

There is no vaccine to prevent salmonellosis. Do not eat raw or undercooked eggs, poultry, or meat. Raw eggs may be unrecognized in food 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 and not pink in the middle.

Do not consume raw or unpasteurized milk or dairy products. Wash produce thoroughly before consuming.

Avoid cross-contamination of foods. Uncooked meats should be kept separate from produce, cooked foods, and ready-to-eat foods. Wash hands, cutting boards, counters, knives, and other utensils thorough after handling uncooked foods. Wash your hands before and after handling any food item and between handling different food items.

Infected people should not prepare food or pour water for others until they are shown to no longer carry Salmonella.

Wash your hands after contact with animal feces. Wash your hands after handling reptiles and turtles. These are not appropriate pets for small children and should not be in the same house as an infant.

How common is salmonellosis?

Every year, approximately 40,000 cases of salmonellosis are reported in the United States. This number could be higher because many milder cases are not diagnosed or reported. Salmonellosis is more common in the summer than in the winter. Children are most likely to contract salmonellosis. Young children, the elderly, and the immuno-compromised are mostly like to have severe infections. It is estimated that approximately 600 persons die each year from acute salmonellosis.