Salmonella bacteria live in the intestines of people, animals and birds. This bacteria can affect the intestinal tract, causing diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever or chills, according to the Food Safety and Inspection Service. Headaches, nausea and vomiting may also occur. Symptoms may develop within eight to 72 hours of contact and may disappear within four to seven days. Many people recover without medical treatment. However, infants, young children, the elderly, pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems may develop serious complications that can be life-threatening. Most people are infected with salmonella by eating foods that have been contaminated by feces, according to MayoClinic.com.
Contaminated Foods
Salmonella on raw meat, poultry and seafood can survive if the food is not cooked adequately. Animal feces can contaminate foods with salmonella, which can eventually transmit to people. The feces may get onto the meat and poultry during the butchering process. Contamination of seafood can occur when fish are taken from contaminated water. Raw eggs may hold salmonella when produced by infected chickens, MayoClinic.com explains. The eggs can remain contaminated when used in homemade mayonnaise and sauces. Fruits and vegetables washed or watered in the field with contaminated water can carry salmonella and pass on the infection.
Food Handling
Salmonella outbreaks can occur in restaurants when food handlers do not wash their hands properly, especially after using the bathroom, and then send out contaminated food to customers. Contamination can also occur in a person's own kitchen. Cross-contamination occurs when juices from raw meat or poultry come in contact with other foods on the counter. Keeping all foods separate and washing the food area carefully before preparing additional items can prevent contamination. Hand washing after preparing raw animal products, before moving on to preparing other foods, also avoids problems. Salmonella infection can spread when a person touches something that is contaminated, and then touches his mouth, or brings the food to other people.
Animals
Pets, including reptiles, amphibians and birds, can carry and spread salmonella. People, especially children, need to practice washing their hands thoroughly after handling a pet or outside animal to avoid infection. Turtles, iguanas, frogs, snakes, geckos, salamanders and chameleons can spread illness through salmonella, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Contamination can also occur when handling cages, aquariums, terrariums or other areas where reptiles and amphibians come in contact with water. Anything an animal touches can become contaminated with salmonella if the pet is infected. Salmonella contamination easily spreads when someone handles a pet and comes into contact with other people or foods.
