Home > Food Safety > Foodborne Illness > currant page

.....

 

Foodborne Illnesses Listed by Category Below

 

 ..... ......   ......
  Summary
Background
Clinical Features (symptoms)
Diagnosis and Control
Route of transmission
Foods to avoid
Risk Groups
Treatment & Prevention
  
     
  Summary:  
  Salmonellosis is a systemic infectious disease caused by Salmonella bacteria and characterized by diarrhea, fever, and abdominal discomfort.  
 
 
  Background:  
 

In terms of gastrointestinal disease, Salmonella is actually a grouping of bacteria that share in the ability to cause diarrheal illness so named after its discoverer, Salmon. They are passed along in what is known as the fecal-oral route that is they are passed from the feces of people or animals, to other people or other animals. There are many different kinds of Salmonella bacteria responsible for salmonellosis in the United States, the two most common being Salmonella serotype Typhimurium and Salmonella serotype Enteritidis.

  
 
 
  Clinical features (Symptoms)  
 

Symptoms typically begin 6 to 72 hours and last up to 7 days.

  • Stomach pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Chills
  • Fever
  • Headache
 
 
 
  Diagnosis and control  
  {diagnosis}  
 
 
  Routes of transmission?  
  Salmonella bacteria are found within the intestinal tract and feces of humans and other animals including birds. The most common mode of transmission humans occurs after consumption of foods contaminated with animal feces.  These contaminated foods are often impossible to discern because they usually look and smell normal.   Beef, poultry, milk, or eggs are common animal sources, however other foods like vegetables may also become contaminated.  The unwashed hands of infected food handlers may contribute to the contamination of improperly handled foods.   Fortunately cooking kills most Salmonella bacteria.  
 
 
  Foods to avoid  
 

  • Raw or undercooked eggs

  • Poultry

  • Meat

  • Raw milk and dairy products

  • Seafood

Salmonella may also be found in some pet feces particularly those of reptiles.   People can become infected if they do not wash their hands properly after contact with these pets and their feces.    It is advisable that adults be careful that children wash their hands after handling turtles and other reptiles.

 
 
 
  Risk groups  
  {risk}  
 
 
  Treatment and prevention  
  Most people recover within 4 to 7 days and require no treatment. However in certain people the diarrhea may be so severe that hospitalization is necessary. This is a serious condition since in these patients, the bacteria may spread from the intestines to the blood stream, and then to other body sites and unless the person is treated with antibiotics death can occur.   As with many other illnesses the consequences of such an infection is most serious in the elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems.  
 
 
Healthy Eating | Nutritional Content | Education | Food Safety | Links | Glossary | Sitemap