Salmonella

[Angelica]

Salmonella is a bacteria that attacks the stomach and the intestines. It’s found in unprocessed milk, water, meat, eggs, and poultry. Salmonella can cause gastroenteritis, typhoid fever, and bacteremia. Some of the common symptoms of salmonella gastroenteritis are nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, and abdominal cramping. Fever occurs in the 100°F to 102°F range. Diarrhea is more common than vomiting. Salmonella infection can cause typhoid fever, bacteremia, and Reiter’s syndrome. One of the major concerns of doctors is that patients with salmonella become dehydrated by severe diarrhea. Many times patients require intravenous fluids to re-hydrate. Usually antibiotics aren’t needed unless the infection persists. To prevent salmonella cook poultry, ground beef, and eggs well before eating. Eggs must be cooked until the egg yolk is solid and poultry until it reaches 160 ºF. You should avoid foods containing raw egg. Raw unpasteurized milk must also be avoided. Keeping a proper hygiene it’s a most to prevent salmonella: wash your hands and kitchen utensils inmediatly after they have been in contact with any foods with animal origins. You should also wash your hands after handling reptiles, amphibians or birds, or after contact with pet feces.