Salmonella Enteritidis Symptoms

Salmonella enteritidis is a form of food poisoning caused by a bacterium found in raw eggs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the bacterium enters the ovaries of seemingly healthy hens, contaminating the eggs they lay before the shells are formed. Symptoms of Salmonella enteritidis in humans are unpleasant but usually disappear within a week in otherwise healthy individuals. Salmonella enteritidis may cause serious illness in the very young and very old.

Types

• Symptoms of an acute Salmonella enteritidis infection are largely confined to the gastrointestinal (GI) system, although a fever may accompany the illness. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. If the infection goes systemic--for example, if it spreads to the bloodstream--the symptoms could be far more serious and can be life-threatening. Symptoms of a systemic infection depend on the areas of the body to which the bacterium spreads. Systemic infections are unusual but could occur in those with underlying medical conditions, in children or in the elderly.

Significance

• In healthy individuals, food poisoning from Salmonella enteritidis most often is not cause for serious concern. Symptoms usually resolve within a few days. If, however, a case of food poisoning is followed by symptoms elsewhere in the body, a doctor should be consulted. Treatment with antibiotics will usually knock out the bacterial infection wherever it shows up. Failure to act, however, could cause widespread infection and eventually lead to death.

Considerations

• Infected hens may lay both normal eggs and others that are contaminated with the bacterium. To prevent infection, hands and all cooking utensils should be washed thoroughly after any type of contact with eggs. Avoid eating raw eggs by themselves or in any prepared foods, and eat cooked foods promptly if they contain eggs. Most important, eggs should be thoroughly cooked before they are eaten.

Time Frame

• Symptoms of Salmonella enteritidis usually begin anywhere from 12 to 72 hours after eating food or beverages made with contaminated eggs. The duration of GI symptoms generally ranges from four to seven days. Otherwise healthy people usually can suffer through the illness without antibiotic therapy. Systemic infection can be much longer in duration and far more serious. If an infection seems to have spread beyond the GI tract, a person should seek immediate medical help.

Misconceptions

• An egg contaminated with salmonella is different from an egg that has spoiled, so don't expect to be able to identify contaminated eggs by smell or appearance. It is wise, however, to discard any eggs that are cracked or dirty and to refrigerate the others until you're ready to cook them.