Over 2,300 types of salmonella bacteria cause salmonellosis, an infection that sickens around 40,000 people in the United States each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Two strains, Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Typhimurium cause around half the infections in people, the United States Department of Agriculture reports. Eating foods contaminated with salmonella bacteria causes the illness.
Causes
Animal feces contaminated with salmonella cause most human illness. Feces contaminate water, which is used to irrigate produce in the fields. The bacteria also lives in the intestinal tract of people; meaning that poor hand washing in food handlers can also spread the bacteria. Pets, particularly birds and reptiles, can also serve as sources of salmonella infection. Salmonellosis occurs more frequently in the summer months.
Food Types
Certain foods carry a higher risk of salmonella contamination. Raw meat can become contaminated with infected feces during the processing process. Seafood in contaminated waters can pick up the bacteria. Eggs from contaminated chickens can also carry the infection. Contaminated water can infect fruits and vegetables, but juices from raw infected meat can also infect produce in the kitchen. Organic, kosher or free-range products do not protect you from salmonella bacteria.
Symptoms
Symptoms of salmonellosis include abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever and chills. Symptoms start 12 to 72 hours after infection and can last four to seven days. While most infections cause short-term illness with no long-term consequences, some people experience severe infection that spreads to the bloodstream. Children, immunocompromised people and the elderly are most susceptible to severe illness, which kills 400 people each year, according to the CDC. Some people develop Reiter's syndrome, a disease that causes joint pain, eye irritation and painful urination as a consequence of salmonellosis. Giving antibiotics at the start of the illness doesn't prevent Reiter's syndrome, which can cause long-term arthritis. Antibiotics treat the infection.
Prevention
Salmonella infection is largely preventable with good hand washing methods and safe food preparation techniques. When you bring food home from the grocery store, keep raw meat and other foods separated, to keep the juices from dripping on other foods and contaminating them. Do not prepare raw meat and other foods on the same surfaces without washing the surface with hot, soapy water to remove any residue. Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating. Adequate cooking will kill the bacteria. Heat all meats to at least 145 degrees F and poultry to at least 165 F while cooking and thaw food in the refrigerator, in cold water or in the microwave rather than at room temperature, the USDA recommends. Refrigerate leftovers within two hours and within one hour if the temperature is over 90 F.
