The Mayo Clinic defines salmonella disease as an illness that affects the intestinal tract. Salmonella lives in the intestines and is shed through feces. People are most often infected by contaminated sources such as water and undercooked foods such as poultry, meat and eggs.
Causes
The most common cause of salmonella infection is eating food that has been contaminated by feces. Raw meat, seafood and poultry may become contaminated during the butchering process. Seafood may be harvested from contaminated water. Eggs that are laid by contaminated chickens may harbor the salmonella bacteria inside the egg, making the shell an ineffective barrier. Fruits and vegetables, especially those that are imported from less industrialized nations, may be harvested and washed with contaminated water. Foods can become contaminated when prepared by people with poor hand hygiene.
Symptoms
According to the National Institutes of Health, onset of symptoms is typically 12 to 72 hours after ingestion. Typical symptoms of salmonella disease are fever, diarrhea, abdominal cramps and headache. Symptoms usually last between four to seven days. Diarrhea can often cause severe dehydration and may require medical attention. Symptoms of dehydration include dry sticky mouth, decreased urine output, rapid heart rate, headache, muscle weakness and extreme thirst.
Diagnosis
Salmonella is usually diagnosed by testing a stool sample for the bacteria. By the time the tests come back, however, the symptoms have often resolved. Blood tests may be drawn if the health care provider suspects that it has entered the bloodstream.
Treatment
Often there are only two options for salmonella: treating the symptoms with anti-diarrhea or anti-vomiting medications, or by allowing the bacteria to work its way through the body. The biggest risk factor of salmonella poisoning is dehydration. This is especially true for children and the elderly who are more prone to rapid dehydration. If patients have a problem keeping down fluids and are showing signs of severe fluid depletion, physicians may opt for intravenous fluids to help the patient maintain proper hydration and avoid further complications. If the physician suspects that the bacteria entered the bloodstream, antibiotics may be prescribed.
Prevention
The best way to avoid a salmonella infection is to promote proper hand hygiene. Always wash hands after using the restroom, changing diapers, handling uncooked food, touching reptiles or birds and after picking up after pet accidents. Another way to avoid spreading the bacteria is to keep raw or uncooked meats separate from other foods in the refrigerator. When cutting foods, it is best to have a cutting board dedicated for uncooked meats and one for foods such as fruits and vegetables to avoid cross contamination. If this isn't possible, cleaning the cutting board with a bleach solution of one part bleach to nine parts water is best for killing salmonella bacteria.
