What You Should Know About Salmonella

August 24, 2010

This is part 3 of a 4-part feature series covering the food-borne illnesses responsible for most food recalls in the United States.

Salmonella is the bacteria that causes salmonellosis, a foodborne illness that has the potential to cause serious health problems in humans. In light of the overwhelming number of food recalls due to Salmonella, and the high prevalence of this problem (40,000 cases reported in the U.S. annually), it is important for consumers to educate themselves regarding such a known risk.

Symptoms and Treatment
Symptoms of salmonellosis include diarrhea, stomach cramps and fever due to intestinal inflammation. A typical episode can last up to a week, and victims usually fully recover. However, it can have severe effects in individuals with compromised immune systems, infants and elderly persons. If the infection spreads from the intestinal tract to the bloodstream, it may cause serious problems like arterial infection, endocarditis and arthritis, among others. Persistent diarrhea and infant dehydration may warrant hospitalization. Treatment for salmonellosis involves symptom management as the bacteria works its way out of the body, and antibiotic therapy in cases where the infection spreads beyond the intestines.

Where Salmonella is Found
Salmonella is transmitted through human or animal feces and can appear in standing water, polluted water, and unclean foods such as meat and raw eggs. Many cases have been reported involving unsafe food handling practices in institutional kitchens and restaurants. Salmonella have also been shown to reach infant systems via inhalation of dust particles. Birds and reptiles are also frequent carriers of Salmonella.

Tips for Preventing Salmonellosis
There are simple steps you can take to prevent this illness. Use these recommendations to help protect your household from the spread of Salmonella:

Cook meats thoroughly.
Avoid eating raw eggs (including those in cookie dough) or drinking unpasteurized milk from unclean sources.
Wash hands often when preparing food and be sure to clean utensils, counter surfaces, cutting boards and cookware thoroughly.
Avoid cross-contamination from raw meat by keeping foods separated.
Wash hands thoroughly after coming into contact with birds or spending time in an environment that contains animal feces (petting zoo, farm, etc.).
Avoid contact with reptiles (turtles, lizards, snakes, etc.).
Order meat from a restaurant well-done, and if it looks underdone, send it back.
Breastfeed infants as long as your doctor recommends for optimal safety.
Wash your hands after changing diapers or disposing of pet feces.

More Information on Salmonella
Talk to your friends and family about the risk of Salmonellosis and other foodborne illnesses. If you have questions, you can contact your state health department and visit the following links:

Centers for Disease Control’s FAQ page on Salmonella
U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s Salmonella page
U.S. Food Safety & Inspection Service Salmonella FAQs
KidsHealth.org Salmonella page

The Other Three Articles in this Series on Common Food Borne Illnesses:

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