Salmonella Food Poisoning
Salmonella food poisoning occupies prime position among the
generally found causes of foodborne illnesses. It is caused when a person eats
food or swallows water contaminated with Salmonella bacteria. This
contamination can happen with any food. If say the equipment is unsanitary or conditions
of food preparation are not hygienic, there are chances of the food getting
contaminated by this bacterium.
Salmonella: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention
What does Salmonella food poisoning actually mean?
Salmonella is a kind of bacteria. Usually, it is found in eggs, poultry, meat, water and unprocessed milk. Further, pets like rodents, turtles and birds are also seen to carry these bacteria. Technically, Salmonella food poisoning is called Salmonellosis. It is an infection caused by the diverse varieties of Salmonella bacteria. There are quite a few means by which Salmonella food poisoning can spread.
Apart from consuming such food or
beverages that are contaminated with Salmonella bacteria, one can also catch
hold of Salmonellosis by getting in contact with already infected people’s feces.
Among the most commonly found food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria are
poultry and undercooked eggs. Apart from this, any food can get contaminated by
it. This happens in cases when an infected person handles the food with
unwashed hands or when the food comes in contact with the one which is
contaminated.
Now, one must know the symptoms of salmonellosis.
The symptoms of salmonellosis include the likes of fever, headache, abdominal cramps, vomiting, nausea and diarrhoea. If the infection is less serious, the symptoms are fewer. Diarrhoea, here takes place for two to three times a day at most. Most of the mild types of symptoms as well as the infection itself clean up in 4 to 7 days. It also does not require any treatment other than drinking a lot of water and taking proper rest. Once a person is infected, these bacteria develop within 12 to 72 hours. The illness lasts ranging on the intensity of the infection. A notable thing is that diarrhoea here happens always without blood. Usually, most people recover without treatment.
If a person is struck only by diarrhoea, they can recover
completely. Although the bowel system may take a few months to come in its
entirely normal state. If dehydration and diarrhoea are severe, one should
compulsorily see a doctor. Old people, infants, children and people with
impaired immune system are at a major risk of catching Salmonellosis as
compared to others.
Proper ways to cook food so that salmonellosis isprevented
The sole and the most effective way to kill salmonella bacteria is through heat. This is the reason why it is essential to make sure that the food is cooked thoroughly. While boiling or cooking poultry, it should be made sure that it is done in a hygienic manner and that it is done thoroughly. While cooking minced meat, the fact that it is completely cooked should be essentially taken care of. If there is a bowl that contains other food as well, a raw egg must never be broken on it.
Instead, one should use a
knife and crack its shell. Further, when it comes to an egg, the salmonella is
found only at the shell. Thus, if the eggs are scalded inside boiling water for
say, five seconds it can work wonders in helping prevention of this disease.
Should you go see a doctor?
There are a lot of cases of Salmonellosis reported every year. Apart from these, numerous milder cases are not reported and diagnosed and hence not accounted for. It is more common in summers as compared to other times of the year. In certain cases, it becomes essentially important to visit the nearest doctor and get oneself checked up. Some of these cases are mentioned henceforth. The diarrhoea persists for more than 24 hours. The intensity and frequency of diarrhoea is more.
Blood comes in faeces. If the
patient gets sever cramps in stomach. The fever reaches 38 degrees F or more.
There is persistent dehydration. And lastly, if there are some signs of
jaundice. Say, discoloration of eyes or skin, when they turn yellowish. If a
person undergoes any of these situations, they must go to immediately see a
doctor otherwise the situation can get worse.
Treatment of Salmonella food poisoning
If the case of Salmonella food poisoning is mild or moderate, a healthy person can recover within a few days without any medical treatment. But it is always a good thing to get medical care and professional advice. The treatment of Salmonella food poisoning include usage of antibiotics in cases ranging from moderate to severe intensity or where such a person is infected who is at a high risk of other complications. This may include people like the ones with weak immune systems due to their suffering from cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, undergoing chemotherapy or the ones who take steroid medications. Until the symptoms subside, the patient is directed not to take solid food as it may worsen the situation.
Water is one essential element which
has to be compulsorily taken care of. The patient must drink a lot of water and
keep consuming fluids such as Pedialyte that give oral rehydration. Lastly, the
patient should involve himself in least number of chores and should take proper
rest during this period. If this is not done, the recovery might stretch and
it’ll take a longer time for the patient to come to normal condition.
Some possible complications of Salmonellosis one must know
The complications associated with Salmonella food poisoning can be severe, in a few cases as severe as life threatening. The people who are most at a risk of catching salmonellosis are the same who are at a high risk of the complications. Nevertheless, there is good news that one can minimise this risk of complications. It can be done by properly following that treatment plan which is designed for you. Usually, the complications associated are Reiter’s syndrome, which is an inflammatory arthritis, electrolyte imbalance, shock or a severe case of dehydration due to diarrhoea or vomiting.
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