Sources of Salmonella
Salmonella causes an infection of the gastrointestinal tract (salmonellosis) and can affect both humans and animals. If you have eaten something contaminated with the bacteria, symptoms usually appear within 12 to 72 hours and include cramping, headache, severe watery diarrhea, fever, and possibly nausea and vomiting. Understanding the possible sources and means of prevention is key to avoiding a salmonella infection.
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Common Food Culprits
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Certain foods are commonly associated with salmonella. These include raw foods derived from animals like eggs and egg products, meat and meat products, unpasteurized milk and other dairy products, and raw poultry. People become infected when they swallow a food containing the bacteria, usually by eating food that hasn't been thoroughly cooked or food that has been contaminated with salmonella after it has been prepared.
Some New Salmonella Sources
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More recently, salmonella outbreaks have been tied to a variety of fresh produce like lettuce, salad mixes, sprouts, melons, tomatoes and even peanut butter. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that approximately 76 million people get sick from food-related hazards every year in the United States. The Centre for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) tracks salmonella outbreaks and hypothesizes that manure (used as fertilizer for crops) and the transfer of the bacteria from livestock and handlers to the produce are directly related to the increased incidence of salmonella poisoning.
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Poor Hygiene: A Potential Salmonella Source
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You've seen the sign in restaurant bathrooms: Employees must wash hands. There's a very good reason--poor hygiene can lead to spreading a variety of germs and bacteria, including salmonella. Health care workers or those who handle food can transmit salmonella (either while preparing food or feeding a patient) if they do not thoroughly wash their hands. The spread of salmonella from person to person can be easily remedied with proper hand washing.
Non-Food Sources
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Some sources of the bacteria are not food related. The organism has appeared in the stool of affected people and animals. Many domestic animals like cattle, pig, ducks, dogs, pet turtles, chicks and cats can both carry and transmit the salmonella bacteria. It's also been found in a range of wild animals. To prevent salmonella transmission, thoroughly wash your hands.
Diagnosis/Treatment
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If you suspect that you are suffering from a salmonella infection, call a doctor immediately. If you are suffering from dehydration, you may need IV fluids or medication. The doctor will need a stool specimen to provide a definitive diagnosis (which usually takes a few days to get the results). Usually, only people suffering from other ailments, elderly patients and infants need treatment through a course of antibiotics. Healthy adults generally recover without medical intervention.
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