Salmonella enteritidis is a food-borne illness that invades the gastrointestinal tract. Many people who get the illness are never diagnosed, recovering at home instead of seeking diagnosis and treatment. Following proper safety precautions while handling and preparing food can greatly reduce the risk of developing this illness.
Causes
Salmonella enteritidis in the United States is usually caused by exposure to contaminated eggs. The bacteria is present in the ovary of the hen and the egg becomes contaminated prior to the formation of the shell, explains the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If the contaminated egg is not thoroughly cooked prior to being eaten, it can cause salmonellosis. According to the California Department of Public Health, Salmonella enteritidis is occasionally contracted by consuming bean sprouts, almonds, orange juice or other foods.
Symptoms
Salmonella enteritidis causes gastroenteritis, a disturbance of the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms include severe diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. These usually begin within three days of consuming the egg and may begin within 12 hours, explains the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chills may accompany the fever and some individuals suffer nausea, vomiting and headache along with the primary symptoms.
Susceptible Individuals
Anyone who eats raw or undercooked eggs is at risk of contracting this infection, explains the California Department of Public Health. Consumption of homemade ice cream with raw eggs, consumption of homemade eggnog or engaging in the practice of drinking raw eggs places the individual at risk of this type of salmonella. Those who eat eggs with runny yolks or recipes with raw eggs that aren't cooked thoroughly may contract this food-borne illness. While most people recover without complications, infants, older people and those with a lowered immune system due to human immunodeficiency virus, medication or chronic disease may have a difficult time recovering.
Treatment
A diagnosis of Salmonella enteritidis often requires no treatment, indicates the United States Department of Agriculture. While an over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen can be taken for headache and fever, antidiarrheals should not be taken without physician consent. Some people need hospitalization due to severe diarrhea, receiving fluids through the veins to prevent dehydration. Antibiotics are sometimes prescribed to treat the infection.
Complications
It may take months for the intestinal tract to fully return to normal after infection with Salmonella enteritidis. Infants, older people and those with a compromised immune system are at risk of a life-threatening complication in which the infection enters the bloodstream. The United States Department of Agriculture relates that some individuals develop reactive arthritis. This is characterized by chronic joint pain, back pain, mild fever, eye pain and urinary burning and urgency.
Prevention
Prevention measures include thoroughly cooking both egg yolks and whites and avoiding the consumption of raw batter, homemade ice cream and homemade eggnog. Eggs with a cracked shell should be thrown away and eggs should not be left unrefrigerated. Cooked eggs should be consumed or promptly refrigerated, explains the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
References
- "Medical-Surgical Nursing"; Donna Ignatavicius, M.S., R.N. and Linda Workman, Ph.D., R.N.; 2002
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Salmonella enteritidis
- State of California Department of Health Services: Salmonella Enteritidis
- United States Department of Agriculture: Salmonella Questions and Answers
- MedlinePlus: Reactive arthritis
