Salmonella is a bacterial infection that causes gastroenteritis, typhoid fever, and several other infections. This common bacterial infection makes it difficult for our body to absorb water, leading to abdominal cramps. Moreover, water tends to exit from the body as diarrhoea. According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Salmonella causes 1.35 million infections, 26,500 cases of hospitalisations, and 420 deaths annually in the US. Let’s delve deeper and understand what is Salmonella, its symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and more.
What is Salmonella?
Salmonella is a bacterial infection that affects the intestines. Humans come into contact with this virus after consuming contaminated water and food. Both animals and humans can get infected, resulting in upset stomachs, diarrhoea, fever, pain, and cramps. Individuals with mild symptoms can recover at home without specific treatment within 4-7 days. Plenty of fluids should be taken to prevent dehydration. To reduce the risk of infection, you should practice safe food handling habits, such as washing your hands after petting animals and touching sundry objects.
Symptoms of Salmonella
Now that we know the meaning of Salmonella, let us understand its symptoms.
The infection is mainly caused by consuming raw foods, undercooked meat and poultry, and eggs and drinking unpasteurised milk. The symptoms tend to show in 6 hours to 6 days after getting infected and can last 4-7 days, as per the CDC.
The symptoms include:
- Diarrhoea
- Stomach cramps
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Cold and chills
- Headache
- Sudden fever
- Bloody stool
In most cases, the symptoms go away on their own in a few days. However, bowel movements could take a few months to normalise.
Causes of Salmonella
- Infections stem from the presence of Salmonella bacteria in the intestines of various animals, including birds and humans. Salmonella commonly results from the consumption of contaminated food or water.
- You can also get infected by consuming uncooked meat, seafood, and poultry. These items can get contaminated during processing, especially when harvested from water teeming with Salmonella.
- Another cause of infection is if a person handles raw meat/food and then touches other foods without properly washing his/her hands.
- One major cause of infection is from eggs laid by an infected bird. According to FDA estimates, around 79,000 cases of Salmonella infections are linked to food-borne illnesses in the United States alone. You can reduce the chances of infection by cooking food properly. Moreover, food items such as mayonnaise and hollandaise sauce contain raw eggs, which should be avoided.
- Fruits and vegetables can also become contaminated when sprayed with unclean water, spreading Salmonella.
- Unpasteurised dairy products such as milk and milk products can get contaminated. Consuming pasteurised products is safe because the process kills the Salmonella bacteria.
- Another major cause of Salmonella infection is unclean hands. Hygiene is essential to keeping the infection at bay. You should keep the kitchen top and counters clean and wash your hands properly after using the toilet and changing diapers. Salmonella can spread quickly through bacteria present in the hands.
- Salmonella can spread through animal droppings. The bacteria can then transfer to your skin and anything you come in contact with, including cages, toys, clothes, furniture, and household surfaces. Keeping pet reptiles indoors is discouraged if the household includes children under 5, pregnant women, older individuals, or those with weakened immune systems.
- Acknowledging the Salmonella risk, the FDA prohibited selling and distributing small turtles in 1975.
Diagnosis of Salmonella
Diagnosis includes blood tests or analysing a stool sample, as well as other samples. Your doctor will confirm the symptoms and other health issues you could be affected by. They will also enquire about any food or diet changes you might have incorporated. The diagnosis will also include your recent travel history and contact with animals, including pets.
Treatment of Salmonella
Salmonella-induced gastroenteritis can resolve within 4 to 7 days without any medical supervision. Even so, treatment is administered after assessing the severity of the symptoms. Treatment includes hydration therapies in case of persistent diarrhoea and vomiting. Rehydration solutions such as Pedialyte can help replenish lost electrolytes.
Your healthcare provider may prescribe antimotility drugs such as Loperamide to alleviate cramps and reduce diarrhoea. However, antibiotics are not always the first line of defence against Salmonella. They are reserved for severe cases or when there’s a risk of the infection spreading to the bloodstream amid concerns about antibiotic resistance that can make future infections harder to treat.
For adults suffering from Salmonella-induced diarrhoea, proper hydration is very much essential. Over-the-counter medications or rehydration solutions may be advised for severe cases. However, these activities should be undertaken with the care and supervision of a trained and certificated medical professional.
In cases where Salmonella infection is confirmed, prescribed antibiotics should be taken as directed, and you should complete the course as directed by the physician. Among children with strong immune systems, the doctor may, at times, let the infection run its course. Such children are also advised to drink lots of fluids to fight the infection. In exceptional cases involving infants, the elderly, or immunocompromised individuals, antibiotics may be necessary to combat the infection effectively and are prescribed depending on the severity of the infection.
Risk Factors Associated with Salmonella
The following are the factors that increase the chances of Salmonella infection —
- Close Contact Activities: Engaging in activities that involve close contact with sources of Salmonella, such as handling raw poultry or eggs and not practising proper hygiene afterwards, increases the chances of Salmonella infection.
- Increased Exposure in Developing Countries: Salmonella infection is more prevalent in developing countries, especially those with inadequate sanitation infrastructure. So, when travelling to such regions, you enhance the risk of exposure to the bacteria.
- Animal Contact: Owning, handling, or petting animals, including birds and reptiles, can also expose individuals to the Salmonella bacteria. This is because these animals generally carry such bacteria. Salmonella can also be present in animal enclosures, tanks, cages, and litter boxes.
- Stomach or Bowel Disorders: Medical conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease or medications such as antacids and antibiotics can make us more susceptible to Salmonella.
- Immune System Weakness: Some medical conditions and medications can particularly weaken the immune system. This then increases the risk of Salmonella infection. They include:
- HIV/AIDS
- Malaria
- Sickle Cell Disease
- Anti-Rejection Drugs
- Corticosteroids
How can Salmonella be Prevented?
The following measures can help in preventing Salmonella —
- Safe Food Practices: Following safe food preparation practices is crucial to avoid Salmonella infection. You must:
- Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after handling raw meat or poultry, while changing diapers, etc.
- Ensure that any raw eggs you consume are pasteurised.
- Properly cook food as per the recommended temperatures. This will help kill the Salmonella bacteria.
- It is also important to refrigerate or freeze perishable food promptly to prevent bacterial growth.
- Preventing Cross-Contamination:To prevent cross-contamination in your kitchen
- You should store raw meat, poultry, and seafood in separate containers from other food items in the refrigerator.
- Try to maintain two different chopping boards — one for raw meat and the other for fruits and vegetables.
- Never place cooked food on a plate where you had placed raw meat without washing.
- Thoroughly clean the kitchen top and other surfaces using soap and water to eliminate potential Salmonella contamination.
Conclusion
We now know what is Salmonella. You can become infected by coming in touch with infected animals, consuming contaminated food or water, etc. For prevention, food must be stored and cooked properly. The mild symptoms tend to go away on their own in 4-7 days, while medicines are prescribed for severe infection. Drink plenty of fluids to get rid of the infection at the earliest. Having health insurance can ensure access to medical care and treatment if complications arise, providing peace of mind during recovery.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your general physician or another certified medical professional for any questions regarding a medical condition. Relying on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk, and ICICI Lombard is not responsible for any effects or consequences resulting from the use of the information shared.