Why Does Salmonella Cause a Disease?

Salmonella is a contagious bacteria that floats around undetected in poultry, beef, milk and eggs. Affecting approximately 1.4 million people annually, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, salmonella is more common in those with feeble immune systems, like children and older adults.

Cause

• Salmonella causes disease because it attacks the intestines and blood stream. When the cells in the intestinal walls are compromised, the bacteria multiplies over time, eventually making you sick.

Reiter's Syndrome

• If salmonella symptoms persist, strain on the urinary or gastrointestinal tract can cause a bacterial infection called Reiter's Syndrome. A reactive arthritis affecting the joints, urethra and eyes, Reiter's Syndrome tends to cause lesions on the skin or mucous membranes.

Origin

• The microscopic, one-celled organisms that make up the salmonella family can be found in the feces of animals, the intestinal tracts of birds and raw meat.

Symptoms

• Diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever and dehydration are all symptoms which appear anywhere from 12 to 72 hours after ingestion, and they usually last from four to seven days.

Treatment

• Dehydration can be treated by drinking a re-hydration drink such as Pedialyte or Lytren. Drink at least 1 cup of water after each bowel movement and stay away from soda and sports drinks, which have too much sugar and not enough electrolytes. Try to maintain your usual diet to get enough nutrition, but stay away from foods that are high in fat or sugar.

Prevention

• Avoid raw meat and eggs. Also, since salmonella can be passed from handling small rodents, ducks and reptiles, it's important to always wash your hands afterward; the same goes for food preparation.