Salmonella infection

Description

Salmonella infection (salmonellosis) is a common bacterial disease that affects the intestinal tract. Salmonella bacteria typically live in animal and human intestines and are shed through the feces (stool). Humans become infected most frequently through contaminated water or food.

Some people with salmonella infection have no symptoms. Most people develop diarrhea, fever and stomach (abdominal) cramps within 8 to 72 hours after exposure. The majority of healthy people recover within a couple of days to a week without specific treatment.

In some cases, diarrhea can cause severe dehydration and requires immediate medical attention. Life-threatening complications can also develop if the infection spreads beyond the intestines. The risk of getting salmonella infection is greater with travel to countries that lack clean drinking water and adequate sewage disposal.

Symptoms

Salmonella infection is usually caused by eating raw or undercooked meat, poultry, and eggs or egg products, or for drink- ing milk is not pasteurized. The incubation period — the time between the exposure and the disease — can be from 6 hours to 6 days. Often, people who have the infection by salmonella is they believe that they have the stomach flu.

Possible signs and symptoms of salmonella infection include:

  • Diarrea
  • Stomach (abdominal) cramps
  • Fever
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Chills
  • Headache
  • Blood in the stool

The signs and symptoms of the infection by salmonella usually lasts a couple of days to a week. The diarrhea may last up to 10 days, but may take several months before the intestines to return to the custom of the stool habits.

A couple of varieties of salmonella bacteria result in typhoid fever, a sometimes deadly disease that is more common in developing countries.

When to see a doctor

Most of the people do not need to seek medical attention to treat the infection by salmonella scholarshipuse clears up on its own within a couple of days.

However, if the affected person is a baby, child, older adult or person with a weakened immune system, call a health care provider if the condition:

  • It lasts more than a couple of days
  • Is associated with fever or blood in the stool
  • It seems to be the cause of dehydration, with signs such as urinating less than usual, dark-colored urine and dry mouth and tongue

Causes

Salmonella bacteria live in the intestines of people, animals and birds. The majority of people are infected with salmonella by eating food or water that has been contaminated by feces.

The ingestion of contaminated food and water

Commonly infected foods include:

  • Raw meat, poultry, and seafood. The feces can get on raw meat and poultry during the slaughter process. The seafood may be contaminated if they are harvested from contaminated water.
  • Raw or undercooked eggs. While an egg out of the shell may seem to be a perfect barrier to contamination, some of chickens infecteds produce eggs containing salmonella before the shell is even formed. Raw eggs are used in home versions of foods such as mayonnaise and hollandaise sauce.
  • Unpasteurized dairy products. Unpasteurized milk and dairy products — sometimes called raw milk — can be contaminated with salmonella. The process of pasteurization kills harmful bacteria, such as salmonella.
  • The fruits and vegetables. Some of the fresh products, especially imported varieties, can be irrigated in the field or washing during processing car contaminated with salmonella. The contamination may also occur in the kitchen, when juices from raw meat and poultry come in contact with raw foods, such as salads.

Improperly handled food

Many foods become contaminated when prepared by people who don't wash their hands thoroughly after using the bathroom or changing a diaper, or after handling contaminated food.

Infected surfaces

The infection can also occur if people touch something that is contaminated and then put his fingers in his mouth.

Infected pets and other animals

Animals and pets, especially birds and reptiles, can carry salmonella bacteria on their feathers, hair or skin or in their stool. Some pet foods may be contaminated with salmonella and can infect animals.

Risk factors

Factors that may increase your risk of salmonella infection include:

  • Activities that can be put in close contact with the bacteria salmonella
  • Health problems that can weaken your resistance to infections in general

The increase of the exposure

  • International travel. Salmonella infection- tion, including the varieties that cause typhoid fever, it is more common in developing countries with poor sanitation.
  • Possessing, handling or petting animals. Some animals, particularly birds and reptiles, can carry salmonella bacteria. Salmonella can also be found in animal pens, tanks, cages and litter boxes.

In the stomach or in the intestine disorders of the

The body has many natural defenses against infection by salmonella. For example, the stomach acid can kill many types of salmonella bacteria. But some medical conditions or medications may be of short-circuit of these natural defenses.

Examples include:

  • Antacids. The reduction of the stomach's acidity allows more bacteria of salmonella to survive.
  • The inflammatory bowel disease. This disorder damages the lining of the intestines, which makes it easier for salmonella bacteria to take hold.
  • The recent use of antibiotics. This can reduce the number of "good" bacteria in the intestines, which may impair your ability to fight infection by salmonella.

Immune system problems

Some medical conditions or medicationsppear to increase your risk of getting salmonella by the weakening of your immune system. This interferes with the body's ability to fight infection and disease. Examples include:

  • human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) /AIDS
  • Sickle cell disease
  • Malaria
  • The Anti-rejection drugs taken after organ transplants
  • Corticosteroids

Complications

Salmonella infection usually is not life threatening. However, in some people — especially babies and young children, the elderly, transplant recipients, pregnant women, find people with weakened immune systems — the development of complications can be dangerous.

Dehydration

If you can't drink enough to replace the fluid that is being lost from diarrhea, you may become dehydrated. Warning signs include:

  • Urinating less than usual or dark-colored urine
  • Dry mouth and tongue
  • Sunken eyes
  • Absence of tears when crying
  • Be more tired than usual
  • Confusion or irritability

Bacteremia

If the infection by salmonella enters the bloodstream (bacteremia), can infect the tissues throughout the body, including:

  • The urinary system (urinary tract infection)
  • The tissues that surround the brain and spinal cord (meningitis)
  • The lining of the heart or of the valves (endocarditis)
  • Bones or the bone marrow (osteomyelitis)
  • The lining of the blood vessels, especially if you have had a vascular graft, such as the heart of the vessels of the bypass surgery

Reactive arthritis

People who have had salmonella are at increased risk of developing reactive arthritis of salmonella infection. Also known as Reiter's syndrome, reactive arthritis typically causes:

  • Eye Irritation
  • Pain when urinating
  • Pain in the joints

Prevention

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) oversees and updates of inspection, sampling and testing programs for poultry and meat. The purpose is to reduce the number of salmonella infections in the United States.

You can avoid salmonella and the spread of bacteria to other in various ways, including safe preparation of food, washing of hands, to avoid contamination, and do not eat raw meat, dairy or egg products.

Preventive methods are especially important when the preparation of the food and the care of infants, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.

Wash your hands

Good hand washing can help prevent the transfer of salmonella bacteria in the mouth or any meal you are preparing. Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds after:

  • The use of the toilet
  • Change a diaper
  • Handling raw meat or poultry
  • Clean up pet feces
  • Touch pets or other animals and their habitats, especially reptiles or birds

Keep things separate

To avoid the contamination:

  • Store raw meat, poultry and seafood away from other foods in the refrigerator
  • If possible, have two cutting boards in the kitchen — one to the raw meat and the other for fruits and vegetables
  • Never place cooked food on the same plate that previously held raw meat
  • Wash food preparation surfaces thoroughly with soap and water

Avoid eating raw eggs

Homemade cookie dough, ice cream, mayonnaise, hollandaise sauce and eggnog contain raw eggs. If you must consume raw eggs, make sure they have been pasteurized.

Cook and store foods properly

Be sure to cook food well and refrigerate or freeze the food quickly.

Salmonella infection

Diagnosis

Salmonella infection is usually diagnosed based on signs and symptoms.

Salmonella infection can be detected by testing of a stool sample. However, most people have recovered from their symptoms by the time the test results return.

If your doctor suspects that you have a salmonella infection in your bloodstream, test a sample of blood to the bacteria may be necessary.

Treatment

Most healthy people recover within a couple of days to a week without specific treatment. The prevention of dehydration with an adequate intake of fluids can help the recovery.

The treatment of dehydration

Due to the salmonella infection may cause dehydrationdration, the treatment focuses on the replacement of the loss of fluids and electrolytes, and minerals to balance the amount of water in the body.

If the dehydration is severe, emergency room care or hospitalization may be necessary so that the fluid can be delivered directly in a vein (iv).

Drugs

In addition to advising to drink plenty of fluids, your health care provider may recommend:

  • Anti-diarrheals. Medications such as loperamide (Imodium a-D) can help to relieve cramping diarrhea. However, they can also prolong the diarrhea associated with salmonella infection.
  • The antibióticos.Su health care provider may prescribe antibiotics to kill the bacteria. These are usually given if your doctor suspects that the salmonella bacteria have entered the bloodstream, the infection is serious or has a weakened immune system. Antibiotics are not useful in the majority of cases of salmonella infection. In fact, antibiotics can extend the period in which they are the carriers of the bacteria and can infect other people. It may also increase your risk of becoming infected again (relapse).

Antibiotics. Your health care provider may prescribe antibiotics to kill the bacteria. These are usually given ton if your doctor suspects that the salmonella bacteria have entered the bloodstream, the infection is serious or has a weakened immune system.

Antibiotics are not useful in the majority of cases of salmonella infection. In fact, antibiotics can extend the period in which they are the carriers of the bacteria and can infect other people. It may also increase your risk of becoming infected again (relapse).

Self-care

Even if you don't need medical care for salmonella infection, you need to take care not to become dehydrated, a common concern with diarrhea and vomiting.

  • The majority of adults with mild to moderate dehydration due to diarrhea, vomiting or fever may improve your condition by drinking more water or other liquids. The diarrhea can be aggravated by full-strength fruit juice and soft drinks.
  • For babies and children which have been dehydrated due to diarrhea, vomiting or fever, the use of oral rehydration solutions that you can buy without a prescription. These solutions contain water and salts in specific proportions to replace both fluids with annd electrolytes.

Preparing for your appointment

If you make an appointment with your health care provider, here's some information to help you prepare.

You can bring a friend or family member, if possible. Someone who goes with you can paddlember information that you missed or forgot.

What you can do

Before your appointment:

  • To find out about any pre-appointment restrictions. When you make the appointment, ask if there is something that you need to do in advance, such as restrict your diet.
  • Make a list of your of the symptoms, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
  • Make a list of the personal information, including major stresses, recent life changes, or recent travel.
  • Make a list of all the medications, vitamins, herbs, or supplements that you are taking and the dose.
  • Make a list of questions to ask your health care provider.

Some basic questions to ask include:

  • What is likely causing my symptoms?
  • Other that the most likely cause, what are other possible causes of the symptoms?
  • Whevidence do I need?
  • What is the best course of action?
  • What are the alternatives to the primary approach you're suggesting?
  • I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
  • Are there any restrictions I need to follow?
  • Should I see a specialist?
  • If medication is prescribed, is there a generic alternative?

Do not hesitate to ask any other questions.

What to expect from your doctor

Your health care provider will need to know:

  • When the disease began
  • The frequency of vomiting or diarrhea
  • If the vomit or stool contains visible bile, mucus or blood
  • If you have a fever
  • If you have recently traveled out of the country

Be prepared to answer the questions will help you make the most of your appointment time.

Symptoms and treatment of Salmonella infection