Salmonella was first diagnosed 100 years ago and continues to infect 40,000 Americans yearly. This bacterium is transmitted from the feces of infected animals or humans and is highly contagious. Peanuts pasteurized or processed in factories, from peanut butter to health nut bars, can be contaminated with Salmonella, potentially transmitting this illness to thousands. According to MSNBC, the last outbreak of Salmonella in peanuts affected over 31 million pounds of nuts.
Diarrhea
Salmonella enters the body through the gastrointestinal tract and exits in the same fashion. The feces of an infected individual will not be formed, but loose and watery. This diarrhea will start approximately 12 to 72 hours after the infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Those infected with Salmonella should not prepare food or beverage for non-infected individuals while the diarrhea continues, as they are highly contagious in this stage. In severe cases, blood will accompany the diarrhea, which creates a potential for the Salmonella infection to enter the bloodstream.
Nausea and Vomiting
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns that nausea and vomiting are classic signs of a Salmonella infection. Abdominal cramping may or may not accompany this feeling of upset. Nausea and vomiting does not occur from the peanut ingestion, rather from the result of the body's natural defense system. Once the immune system identifies a foreign object, such as a bacteria in the stomach or intestinal lining, it will try to purge the bacteria. Prolonged vomiting can lead to severe dehydration and must be reported to the physician.
Fever
Fever is the hallmark symptom of Salmonella ingestion. Fevers related to Salmonella are labeled as Typhoid fever and are actually a secondary infection from the Salmonella. The fever will have a rapid onset, within 12 to 72 hours after infection and can last from four to seven days, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Unusually high fevers are not uncommon but can be dangerous in the very young or old.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Salmonellosis
- msnbc.com: More Peanut Products Added to Recall List
- United States Food and Drug Administration: Western Trade Group, Inc., Recalls Roasted Peanuts Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk
- science.jrank.org: Typhoid Fever - How Salmonella Typhi Is Spread, Progression And Symptomatology, Treatment, Prevention - Diagnosis
