With recent reports in the news about salmonella poisoning on the rise through food products that would never come to mind, it is important to do what you can to avoid being poisoned. The primary symptoms of salmonella poisoning is experiencing fevers, abdominal pain, headaches, lethargy, skin rashes, malaise, constipation, diarrhea, and delirium, within a 12 to 72 hours time frame after being infected. The poisoning lasts for approximately 4-14 days and most individuals can recover without treatment. Salmonella is a food borne illness that is caused by the salmonella bacteria that is often carried by some animals, and transmitted from animal feces, kitchen surfaces, water, soil, raw meats, and eggs. The common type of salmonella is the nontyphoidal salmonella which is commonly carried by reptiles, chickens, and cows. Reptiles such as turtles, lizards, and iguanas should not be kept as pets as they pose a particular threat to young children. Other foods that may contain raw food products and should be avoided are Caesar salad dressing, homemade ice cream, eggnog, cookie dough, unpasteurized milk and juices.
The people that are at high risk for contracting a salmonella infection are infants, those who have compromised immune systems, intake cancer fighting medications, have sickle cell disease, a nonfunctioning spleen, or take chronic stomach acid suppression medications.
Comments
sunshine11219 said
on 1/14/2009 great artcile on such an important article
Handmadedreams said
on 1/14/2009 This is so important. Thanks.
ljbinkop said
on 1/14/2009 I did not know this information regarding reptiles, but now I do! Keep on writing!
RachelB said
on 1/14/2009 Very important topic, and great tips on how to avoid salmonella poisoning. Thanks!