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Salmonella Enterica Infection

A salmonella enterica infection, commonly referred to as food poisoning, is a miserable experience for adults and children alike. The illness brings on fever, diarrhea, severe abdominal cramps and vomiting. It can last four to seven days and, in rare cases, can cause death when the infection spreads from the intestines to the blood flowing through the organs of the body.

  1. How We Get It

    • Salmonella enterica is transmitted through animal feces or bodily waist. The most common means of transmitting salmonella is by eating raw or undercooked foods. Some of the foods you ingest contain raw eggs. Some examples of foods containing raw eggs include mayonnaise and salad dressings. Salmonella can be found in soil and is transmitted by birds, rats and many other animals, including household pets.

    Prevention

    • The best defense against salmonella enterica bacteria is thorough hand-washing with soap and warm water, especially before handling food. Never eat with the same utensils you've used to prepare raw food unless they have been thoroughly cleaned. All vegetables should be washed in hot water before tossed into salads and consumed. Cooking food thoroughly will kill the bacteria causing salmonella.

    Treatment

    • Salmonella bacteria can live for up to a week. Diarrhea is the worst part of the illness. It is important to drink a lot of fluids, such as water and tea, to avoid dehydration. Should the infection spread from the intestines to the blood stream, you may need antibiotics. Some strains of salmonella, however, have built up a resistance to antibiotics and many of them are fed to the animals we later consume.

    Long-Term Effects

    • The vast majority of people completely recover from their bout with salmonella enterica infection. In some cases, however, some people develop Reiter's syndrome (RS). RS causes pain in the joints. Some report painful urination and these ailments can last for years, sometimes evolving into chronic arthritis.

    Alerts

    • Salmonella outbreaks can and do occur. While we probably don't give it much thought as we have conditioned ourselves to prepare meals properly and generally practice rules of cleanliness, salmonella can come in something as simple as a sliced tomato added to a sandwich purchased in a local restaurant. News outlets are a good source of warnings and alerts in the event of a salmonella outbreak. If you do find yourself with this nasty bug, always remember the importance of keeping yourself hydrated and you will feel better soon.

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