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Salmonella Poisoning

Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

© Karla Reed

Oct 15, 2007
600 Deaths From Salmonella Annually in US, wax115
Each year approximately 40,000 cases of salmonella (salmonellosis) are reported in the United States; many more go unreported. Unfortunately,600 US patients die annually.

Editors' Choice

The CDC is collaborating, yet again, with public health officials in multiple states across the United States and with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service to investigate an ongoing multi-state outbreak of Salmonella infections in humans. Recent outbreaks have been linked to pancake mixes, frozen pot pies and peanut butter, cantaloupe melons (March 2008),Malt O Meal cereal (April 2008), dry dog food (May 2008), peppers (June and July, 2008), frozen chicken dinners (October 2008), peanut products (January 2009) and now, pistachios (March and May 2009).

The majority of infected patients,once diagnosed, are treated simply and effectively without the use of antibiotics. Without professional diagnosis and identification, Salmonella can become complicated.

Origins

  • Milk and eggs are the most common sources, but Salmonella can originate from water, meats, fresh fruits and vegetables contaminated with human or animal feces.
  • Farm animals, turtles and iguanas can harbor Salmonella and are prime suspects in Salmonella cases in children. Ensure that children wash hands properly after handling, petting or being in close proximity to these animals. Petting zoos have been linked with several outbreaks of Salmonella.

Symptoms

Symptoms may consist of some (not necessarily all) of the following, with onset approximately 12-72 hours after infection:

  • Fever (usually present)
  • Nausea (sometime accompanied by vomiting)
  • Dehydration (especially in children and the elderly)
  • Diarrhea
  • Abdominal Pain and/or Cramping
  • Headache

Duration and Complications

  • Usually lasts approximately 4 to 7 days.
  • Most patients recover with simple treatments; however, in some infection can leave the intestines to enter the bloodstream and infect major organs. Death can occur in these cases if not treated with antibiotics.

Method of Diagnosis

  • Stool sampling at a physician's office is the only method of diagnosis.

Treatment

  • Push (increase) fluids; maintain electrolytes (with fluids such as Gatorade, Pedialyte or others).
  • Severe diarrhea may require IV fluids.
  • Antibiotics such as Ampicillin, Gentamycin, Ciprofloxacin and Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole can be used to treat complications.

Long Term Effects

  • None usually, other then months of irregular bowel habits.
  • Reiter’s Syndrome in a small number which causes painful joints, irritation of the eyes, and painful urination. It can last for months or years, and can lead to chronic arthritis.

Prevention

  • Avoidance of undercooked meat - When in doubt, send food back to be cooked thoroughly.
  • Proper hand washing especially for food handlers (handlers can carry infection days to weeks after physical recovery).
  • Assure that manure used in gardening is composted properly.
  • Proper washing of fruits and vegetables, peeling when appropriate.
  • Be especially cautious when crafting or cooking with eggs (especially when preparing Easter eggs with children).
  • Separation of raw food and cooked food surfaces and utensils. Use separate knives and cutting boards for raw and cooked meats.

Medical attention should be sought for proper and rapid diagnosis at the appearance of one of more the listed symptoms. A simple and accurate diagnosis can lead to an uncomplicated and speedy recovery.

Source: Center for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia

Additional Articles On Food Poisoning: E. Coli and Noro Or Norwalk Virus


The copyright of the article Salmonella Poisoning in Diseases/Viruses is owned by Karla Reed. Permission to republish Salmonella Poisoning in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.


600 Deaths From Salmonella Annually in US, wax115
       


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Comments
Feb 24, 2009 8:48 AM
Guest :
nice job
Mar 18, 2009 12:58 PM
Guest :
this really shows what can happen and why you want to watch out for it
Mar 23, 2009 6:09 AM
Guest :
Thnx for providing this info. Useful for everybody. Now i know about it, and I i'll share it to other.
Mar 31, 2009 7:10 PM
Guest :
Thank you for all the wonderful information. It's greatly appreciated. However, how will we ever be able to comfortably trust eating in restaurants when outbreaks continue to occur? And why is it officials have the fear of telling us the truth....in order to avoid PANIC? Panic can occur if we AREN'T told the truth. It seems so unfair to us as consumers. It would be better to know as soon as possible if a product is affected, so we can be treated quickly.
4 Comments