What is Salmonella?
Salmonella is Gram-Negative, Flagellated bacteria that reside in soil, on surfaces, and in wet environments. It can also persist in many foods that humans eat, such as dairy products, raw meats, eggs, some vegetables, and processed foods. There is a possibility that Salmonella might colonize in live animals as well.
When people are near or eat these contaminated foods and animals, they are at risk of developing Salmonellosis and other infections that occur in the blood, bones, stomach, and joints. Infections related to the Salmonella bacteria are among the most common cases around the world, with an estimate of about 550 million illnesses per year.
When someone has contracted a Salmonella infection, they may experience symptoms such as:
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Stomach Cramps
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headache
When positive for a Salmonella Infection, it usually takes between 4 to 7 days for the infection to clear up. There have been cases in which patients have to take antibiotics to help get rid of the Salmonella bacteria. Most cases of the Salmonella infection recover completely, but there are people that sometimes have some aftereffects from the infection.
There are many ways that Salmonella infections can be prevented, and it is important to understand the proper handling of foods that may contain Salmonella.
Some tips include:
- Avoid eating raw meats
- Avoid eating raw eggs and other mixtures that include it
- Make sure the dairy and egg product that you use are pasteurized
- Avoid eating certain uncooked vegetables like clover, radishes, and bean sprouts.
- Make sure to wash your hands correctly and thoroughly
- Do not cross contaminate foods.
If you believe you or someone else has been exposed to the Salmonella bacteria, contact the Texas Poison Center Hotline at 1(800)-222-1222.
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