What is Salmonella?

Salmonella is a bacterium found in the intestines of birds, mammals, and reptiles. People may get infected with types of Salmonella that cause acute diarrheal disease.

Why is Salmonella dangerous?

Salmonella is dangerous because it causes intestinal or general illness when eating foods that are contaminated with the bacteria. It may be found in unwashed fruits and vegetables, raw poultry, raw eggs, and raw beef. Salmonella is the most common cause of food-borne illness in the United States.

How does someone become infected with Salmonella?

A person acquires the infection eating any food that has been handled in unsanitary conditions. Contaminated foods are usually animal products like meat, poultry, and dairy products. Fruits, vegetables and other foods can also become contaminated with Salmonella.

A person may become infected if they do not thoroughly wash their hands after coming into contact with human or animal feces. Reptiles, such as turtles and snakes are particular carriers of Salmonella. It is important that a person wash their hands immediately after handling reptiles or birds or after they come into contact with their environment. Salmonella is also found in the feces of other pets.

What are the symptoms of a Salmonella infection?

Symptoms for Salmonella infection include:

• Fever
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal cramps
• Headache

The onset of symptoms occurs 12 to 72 hours after a person is infected with Salmonella and usually last 4 to 7 days.

How are Salmonella infections diagnosed?

The diagnosis is made by lab analysis of a stool sample of the infected person. If the test is positive for Salmonella, further testing is performed to determine the specific strand of Salmonella associated with the diarrheal disease.

How are Salmonella infections treated?

Most people are symptom free in 4-7 days without treatment. It is extremely important to drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration from diarrhea. People with severe diarrhea may need to be hospitalized. In some cases, Salmonella may spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and reach other parts of the body. This complication could lead to death unless the person is treated with antibiotics. Although most people do not need treatment, Salmonella infection can be dangerous to infants, elderly persons, and those with compromised immune systems.

Are there any long-term effects of a Salmonella infection?

No. Diarrhea and the general malaise usually subside in few days, although it may take up to a few months before a person's bowel movements return to normal. A small number of people may develop a condition called Reiter's syndrome. This syndrome is characterized by joint pain, eye irritation, and painful urination. These symptoms can last for months or years and can lead to chronic arthritis.

How can Salmonella infections be prevented?

Salmonella infections may be prevented by following these guidelines:

• Always wash your hands with hot, soapy water after using the bathroom.
• Cook poultry, ground beef, and eggs thoroughly.
• Wash hands, cutting boards, dishes, utensils, and counter tops with hot water and soap before and after handling food and when switching between types of food, for example, from meat to produce.
• Wash hands immediately after coming into contact with animal feces. Reptiles and birds can be carriers of Salmonella so it is important to wash one's hands right after handling them or coming into contact with their environment.
• Use plastic cutting boards for meat. The risk of contaminating your food is greater when wooden cutting boards are used because they residue even though they are washed carefully. Wood has many cracks in which Salmonella and other bacterium can spread.
• Avoid cross-contamination of different types of foods. Keep uncooked meats separate from produce, cooked foods and ready-to-eat foods.
• Do not eat or drink food containing raw eggs or unpasteurized milk.
• If you are served meat, poultry or eggs that are undercooked do not hesitate to send the food back to the kitchen for further cooking.
• People infected with Salmonella should not prepare food or pour water for others until their diarrhea has subsided.

How common are Salmonella infections?

Salmonella infection is the most common type of food poisoning in the United States. Cases are reported more frequently during the summer.

Children under the age of five are more susceptible to be affected by Salmonella. Their risk of becoming infected is five times greater than the general population.

What to do if you suspect a Salmonella infection?

Prevent a more severe case from developing by drinking plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. Contact your health care provider to discuss any concerns or questions especially if you have bloody diarrhea or symptoms do not resolve in 2 to 3 days.

Your City and County Health Departments can also provide further information about Salmonella infections as well as other general public health concerns. It is important to report a suspected case of Salmonella infection to the local public health department. Reporting Salmonella cases helps the City, County, or State Public Health Department isolate the source of Salmonella infection and determine the specific type of Salmonella strand. If a number of Salmonella cases occur in the same area at the same time, it may mean that a restaurant, food, or water supply has been contaminated and needs to be corrected by the public health department.

Resources

National Alliance for Hispanic Health
Su Familia: The National Hispanic Family Health Helpline
1-866-SU-FAMILIA (1-866-783-2645)

SuFamilia@hispanichealth.org

http://www.hispanichealth.org

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636)
http://www.cdc.gov/Salmonella

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332)
http://www.fda.gov