Salmonella is an illness caused by several strains of bacteria, mainly salmonella enterica and salmonella bongori. The most common sources of the bacteria are from uncooked meat, poultry and seafood; raw eggs; contaminated fruits and vegetables; soil; insects; animal feces; and contaminated kitchen surfaces. It may also be passed from human to human from unhygienic bathroom practices. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are around 40,000 salmonella infections each year, resulting in approximately 400 deaths. Symptoms usually occur 12 to 72 hours after infection and last four to seven days. Most people recover without treatment, but some symptoms may become severe, requiring medical attention. The symptoms of a salmonella infection can range from mild to severe and may depend on the specific strain the person is infected with.
Gastrointestinal Disturbance
The most common symptoms of a salmonella infection are known collectively as gastroenteritis. According to Mayo Clinic, salmonella-induced gastroenteritis is most often caused by eating raw or undercooked meat, poultry or egg products. The symptoms of gastroenteritis include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, chills, headache, muscle pains and blood in the stools. In some cases, the diarrhea can cause severe dehydration, requiring hospitalization, intravenous fluids, anti-nausea medications and antibiotics. In more severe cases, the infection may spread from the intestines to the brain and spine, known as meningitis, or the bloodstream, known as sepsis.
Typhoid Fever
One strain of the bacteria, salmonella typhi, can cause typhoid fever, leading to serious complications in some patients. According to the PennState Hershey S. Medical Center College of Medicine, there are around 400 cases of typhoid fever in the United States annually, mostly from unsanitary water while traveling abroad. Patients will get a fever that rises over a few days and stays consistently high. It is also accompanied by headache, sore throat, constipation, joint pain, abdominal pain, loss of appetite and fatigue. Some patients may develop a pink rash on the chest and abdomen. A typhoid infection may spread to the liver, spleen and brain, resulting in severe complications, including death. Typhoid fever usually lasts four to eight weeks, but it may take several months to recover.
Reiter's Syndrome
Reiter's syndrome, also known as reactive arthritis, is a set of symptoms caused by a salmonella infection. According to the University of Washington School of Medicine, Reiter's syndrome affects the joints, eyes, urinary tract and skin. In the joints, patients develop swelling and pain. The leg, finger and toe joints are commonly affected. The arthritis may last for several months, but most cases do not lead to permanent damage or disability. According to the University of Washington Medical Center, about 40 percent of patients with Reiter's syndrome develop conjunctivitis, or swelling and inflammation under the eye. It is usually short-lived, but chronic cases may lead to inflammation of the iris, which can cause vision damage. Patients may develop urethritis, causing painful urination, discharge in male patients and bladder inflammation in female patients. The skin problems from Reiter's syndrome include sores on the throat, penis, vulva, hands and feet.
