Salmonella (SALMONELLOSIS)

Salmonella, often referred to colloquially, is the culprit behind the unpleasant experience of diarrhea and stomach pains, known as gastroenteritis. It’s a prevalent form of bacterial food poisoning across the United States. This ailment, also known as salmonellosis, distinguishes itself from other conditions caused by various strains of Salmonella bacteria, such as typhoid fever.

What occurs when one contracts salmonella?

Well, it signifies that a sufficient number of bacteria have bypassed the stomach’s acidic environment and immune defenses, leading to illness. Salmonella bacteria invade and damage the cells lining the intestines, disrupting the body’s ability to absorb water and thereby causing stomach cramps. Consequently, the body expels water through diarrhea.

Who faces a higher risk of salmonella infection?

While salmonella can affect anyone, certain factors can elevate one’s susceptibility to infection or severe illness, including age, living conditions, and specific medical conditions and medications.

Those at heightened risk of contracting salmonella include individuals who:

Live or work in proximity to high-risk animals like chickens, ducks, turtles, and lizards.
Consume antacids or have recently taken antibiotics, which can weaken the body’s defenses against salmonella.
Have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), as the damage inflicted by this condition increases susceptibility to infections.
Are children under the age of 5?

Moreover, certain groups are at a higher risk of experiencing severe illness from Salmonella infection, such as individuals who:

Are over 65 years old or under 12 months old.
Have compromised immune systems due to conditions like HIV, chemotherapy, or other illnesses or medications.
Have sickle cell disease, putting them at risk of a rare complication called osteomyelitis.

How prevalent is salmonella?

It ranks among the most common forms of food poisoning, affecting over a million individuals annually in the United States alone, with approximately 26,500 requiring hospitalization. Tragically, about 420 deaths occur each year in the U.S. due to salmonella infections.

Various sources can lead to salmonella outbreaks, encompassing a range of foods and animals. Foods implicated in salmonella outbreaks include staples such as peanut butter, packaged meats, frozen items, and produce. Additionally, animals like pet turtles, lizards, chickens, hedgehogs, and guinea pigs have been linked to salmonella outbreaks.

Symptoms of salmonella

Symptoms of Salmonella typically manifest within a few hours to several days following exposure to Salmonella bacteria. These symptoms predominantly affect the gastrointestinal tract and may include:

Diarrhea, which may be bloody in some cases,.
Fever.
Stomach pains or cramps.
Nausea and vomiting.
Headache.

It’s worth noting that individuals may experience some or all of these symptoms.

Causes of Salmonella

Salmonella poisoning stems from an infection caused by the Salmonella bacteria. When the number of Salmonella bacteria surpasses the body’s ability to combat them, an infection occurs, leading to symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal disturbances.

How to contract this disease

Salmonella bacteria naturally reside in the intestines of both humans and animals. However, contamination can occur through various means, including:

Consumption of raw eggs and eggshells.
Consumption of raw red meat, seafood, and poultry.
Consumption of fruits and vegetables.
Consumption of unpasteurized milk or cheese.
Ingestion of untreated water.
Contact with the fur, feathers, scales, skin, or feces of infected animals and their habitats.
Contact with surfaces contaminated by someone infected with Salmonella bacteria.

Salmonella infection most commonly occurs through consuming undercooked food or through improper food handling practices. Here’s how you can get salmonella:

Consuming uncooked or undercooked meat, poultry, seafood, or eggs.
Eating fruits and vegetables that have been contaminated.
Drinking water or unpasteurized milk that has been contaminated.
Failing to wash hands adequately during food preparation and before eating.

Additionally, salmonella can be transmitted from infected animals and humans to others. You can contract Salmonella bacteria by coming into contact with an infected animal and then inadvertently transferring the bacteria to your mouth. Virtually any animal can carry Salmonella bacteria, which can be found on their fur, feathers, scales, or skin. This includes:

Amphibians such as frogs and toads.
Reptiles like turtles, lizards, and snakes.
Birds include chickens, ducks, turkeys, and wild birds.
Farm animals such as cows, goats, sheep, and pigs.
Household pets like dogs, cats, birds, and small animals.

As for the types of food Salmonella is commonly found in, almost any uncooked food could potentially be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria. However, most cases of illness stem from consuming uncooked or undercooked poultry or eggs.

Despite its potential health risks, Salmonella bacteria do not produce a distinct smell. Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria typically looks and smells normal, making it challenging to detect through sensory cues alone.

Diagnosis of Salmonella (SALMONELLOSIS)

Salmonella infection is typically diagnosed through various tests:

Stool sample: Your healthcare provider will provide you with a sterile container and instructions to collect a stool sample in the privacy of your own home. A laboratory will then analyze the sample for the presence of Salmonella bacteria.
Blood sample: Your provider may collect a blood sample from your arm using a needle. The laboratory will attempt to culture (grow) Salmonella bacteria from this blood sample.
Other samples: In some cases, your provider might also test other body fluids or tissues, such as urine or samples taken from wounds, for Salmonella bacteria.

Treatment of Salmonella (SALMONELLOSIS)

Treatment for salmonella infection typically does not involve medication unless the illness is severe or the patient is at high risk of complications. In such cases, antibiotics may be prescribed. If severe diarrhea is present, hospitalization may be necessary.

In addition to any prescribed medication, it’s crucial to stay well-hydrated. Drinking plenty of fluids is recommended, and if dehydration becomes severe, intravenous (IV) fluids may be administered by your healthcare provider.

If antibiotics are deemed necessary to treat a Salmonella infection, your healthcare provider may prescribe the following medications:

Ciprofloxacin
Ceftriaxone
Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX)
Azithromycin

Managing the symptoms of salmonella infection is crucial for recovery. Here are some steps to help alleviate symptoms:

Stay hydrated by consuming plenty of fluids. Suitable options include water, sports drinks, 100% fruit juices diluted with water, broth, and oral rehydration solutions like Pedialyte.
For adults, over-the-counter medications such as loperamide (Imodium) and bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol, Kaopectate) can help alleviate diarrhea. However, it’s essential to consult with a pediatrician before administering these medications to children or infants.

Prevention of Salmonella (SALMONELLOSIS)

To significantly lower your risk of contracting salmonella, it’s vital to adhere to safe food preparation practices and exercise caution when interacting with animals. Here are some guidelines for preventing salmonella:

Safe food preparation practices:

Refrain from preparing food for others if you’re feeling unwell.
Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after using the bathroom.
Wash your hands before and after handling food or eating.
Clean food preparation surfaces and utensils before and after use.
Ensure that foods are cooked to a safe temperature before consumption.
Avoid handling other foods while working with raw meat, poultry, seafood, or eggs.
Wash or peel vegetables and fruits before cutting, eating, or cooking them.
Promptly refrigerate or freeze meat, poultry, and seafood after purchase.
Avoid consuming unpasteurized milk or products made from unpasteurized milk.
Refrain from drinking untreated water or consuming food prepared with untreated water. If uncertain about water safety, opt for bottled water for drinking and cooking, particularly while traveling.

Safe animal handling practices:

Wash your hands with soap and water after touching animals, including pets, as well as their food, water bowls, litter boxes, feces, cages, or toys.
Avoid touching animals and then putting your hands in your mouth. Refrain from kissing animals or coming into contact with their fur, feathers, scales, or skin with your mouth.
Individuals with weakened immune systems, as well as those over 65 or under 5 years old, should avoid touching high-risk animals.
Avoid eating or drinking in proximity to high-risk animals or their living areas.
Clean your pet’s habitat, such as their aquarium, cage, or terrarium, outdoors if feasible. Avoid using the kitchen sink to clean your pet’s habitat, toys, or bowls

Complications of Salmonella (SALMONELLOSIS)

While most people recover from salmonella without complications, it’s essential to be vigilant for signs of a more serious illness. Complications of salmonella may include:

Dehydration: Severe dehydration can occur if the fluids lost through diarrhea or vomiting are not adequately replaced. Symptoms of severe dehydration include confusion, dark-colored urine or decreased urine output, dizziness, weakness, dry mouth or throat, elevated heart rate, loss of appetite, flushed skin, muscle cramps, chills, and constipation.
Bacteremia/Sepsis: Salmonella can enter the bloodstream, leading to bacteremia. If left untreated, bacteremia can progress to sepsis, a life-threatening condition where the body’s immune system attacks its tissues and organs.
Salmonella Osteomyelitis: Individuals with sickle cell disease are at an increased risk of developing osteomyelitis, a rare Salmonella infection of the bone. Symptoms may include back or bone pain, difficulty moving, swelling, redness, or pus-filled areas.
Reactive Arthritis: Reactive arthritis can occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues during an illness. Symptoms may include lower back pain, joint inflammation, stiffness, frequent urination, a burning sensation during urination, pink eyes, diarrhea, abdominal pain, mouth sores, or a rash.

Outlook/Prognosis

Salmonella infections typically resolve on their own within a few days without requiring medical treatment. Most individuals can manage their symptoms at home until they start feeling better. However, individuals with compromised immune systems or sickle cell disease, as well as those who develop severe illnesses, may require antibiotic treatment.

When to Seek Medical Attention

Contact your healthcare provider if your symptoms persist beyond a few days or worsen. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience high fever, blood in your stool, frequent vomiting, dark-colored urine, dry mouth, dizziness upon standing, or signs of severe dehydration.

FAQs

Can salmonella resolve on its own?

Salmonella infections typically resolve on their own, although you may experience symptoms for several days. It’s important to ensure adequate hydration throughout this period to prevent dehydration. If symptoms persist or worsen, or if you have concerns about your condition, it’s advisable to consult with your healthcare provider for further guidance and support.

What’s the duration of the infection?

Symptoms of salmonella infection usually persist for about four to seven days. If your symptoms persist beyond three days without improvement, it’s advisable to consult your healthcare provider.

Is vomiting a symptom of Salmonella?

Contrary to common belief, vomiting is not always a prominent feature of salmonella poisoning. While diarrhea and fever are the most prevalent symptoms, vomiting does occur in some cases.

What does Salmonella poop look like?

When affected by salmonella, your stool typically becomes loose and watery, often necessitating frequent trips to the bathroom. In some cases, there might be blood present in the stool. If you notice blood in your stool, it’s crucial to contact or visit your healthcare provider promptly.

Risk of Death:

While it is possible to die from salmonella if the infection spreads to other parts of the body or leads to sepsis, such occurrences are extremely rare. Out of millions of Salmonella infections each year, only a small number result in death.

Sources

National Health Service (U.K.): “Salmonella infection.”
Kids Health from Nemours: “Salmonella Infections.”
Foodsafety.gov: “Salmonella.”
U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service: “Salmonella Questions and Answers.”
FDA: “Think Food Safety and Be Salmonella Safe!”
CDC: “Salmonella,” “Foods That Can Cause Food Poisoning,” “Salmonella and Food,” “Salmonella Questions and Answers.”
World Health Organization: “Salmonella (non-typhoidal).”
Foodsafety.org: “Sneaky Salmonella: It’s Common, Costly, and Preventable.”
Mayo Clinic: “Diseases and Conditions: Salmonella Infection.”

SALMONELLOSIS