What is Salmonella?

Salmonella is bacteria that causes a bacterial infection called salmonellosis. Salmonellosis is one of the most common intestinal infections in the United States and is the second most common foodborne illness.  The Salmonella bacteria that causes salmonellosis also causes typhoid fever and several other infections of intestinal origin.

What are the symptoms of Salmonella infection?

Symptoms of Salmonella gastroenteritis include a sudden onset of nausea, abdominal cramping, and bloody diarrhea with mucous. The symptoms begin 12 to 72 hours after infection and last between four and seven days. Most individuals recover on their own, but in some cases, diarrhea can be so severe that the patient must be hospitalized. In the most serious of infections, the Salmonella bacteria moves out of the intestines into the bloodstream and can cause death if the patients is not treated quickly with antibiotics.

How is Salmonella treated?

Most individuals recover from salmonellosis without treatment, but patients with severe cases-often children, the elderly or people with compromised immune systems-require medical assistance. Individuals with intense diarrhea may require re-hydration, often with intravenous fluids. If the infection has spread outside of the intestines, patients may be treated with antibiotics like ampicillin, gentamicin, trimethoprim/ sulfamethoxazole, or ciprofloxacin. Unfortunately, some Salmonella bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics, largely as a result of the use of antibiotics found in farm raised animals.

How many cases of salmonella have been found in Montgomery County?

Montgomery County Health Department records state that 84 cases of salmonellosis were reported in 2003; 60 cases were reported in 2004 and 115 cases in 2005.

What can I do to avoid Salmonella?

There is no vaccine to prevent salmonellosis, so the best way to avoid the illness is to avoid eating raw animal foods that may be contaminated with the virus. Do not eat raw or undercooked eggs, poultry or meat or consume unpasteurized milk or other dairy products. Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating them. You should also be careful to avoid cross-contamination, allowing uncooked fluids to come in contact with prepared food. Keep uncooked meats separate from produce, cooked foods, and ready-to-eat foods. Clean cutting boards, counters, knives, and other utensils after they've had contact with raw food. Wash hands before and after touching food, and between handling different food items.

Another way to protect yourself against salmonellosis is to wash your hands after having contact with animal feces and reptiles. Because many reptiles carry salmonella, they are not appropriate pets for small children and should not be in the same house as an infant.

If you have salmonellosis, do not prepare food or pour water for others until your doctor says you are no longer carrying the Salmonella bacterium.

To find out more about Salmonella, talk to your doctor or check out the Centers for Disease Control web site:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/salmonellosis_g.htm