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Salmonella Facts

Salmonella is the most common cause of food poisoning. Salmonella is the name for a group of more than 2,000 different types of bacteria. Gastrointestinal infection occurs after eating food contaminated with the bacteria.

  1. Transmission

    • People can become infected with salmonella after eating food that has not been thoroughly cooked. Food may also contain the bacteria if prepared on a contaminated surface or if the food was prepared by someone who did not use proper hygiene such as washing the hands.

    Symptoms

    • Symptoms usually appear within 12 to 72 hours and include headache, fever, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Some people may have no symptoms at all.

    Treatment

    • Although antibiotics are sometimes prescribed, the condition usually clears up on its own without medical treatment. It may take several weeks before the intestines are completely free of the bacteria.

    Prevention

    • Salmonella may be prevented by taking precautionary measures such as cooking food completely, practicing good hygiene and cleaning surfaces thoroughly.

    Significance

    • Salmonella bacteria are found most often in animal products such as meat and eggs.

    Statistics

    • According to MedicineNet.com, more than 1.4 million cases of salmonellosis occur each year in the United States.

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