Quick question: what is Salmonella? It is a germ that causes a type of food poisoning called salmonellosis. Every year in the United States, about 1.35 million people get sick from it. It also leads to more hospital stays and deaths from food poisoning than any other germ.
Salmonella can cause strange and serious problems. For example, one patient developed a dangerous bulge in a main artery of the body, and tests showed Salmonella was the cause.
How do people get Salmonella?
Salmonella often hides in raw or undercooked foods. These include raw chicken products (like nuggets), ground beef, eggs, flour, raw cookie dough, unpasteurized milk, nut butters, and even fresh produce such as basil and cantaloupe. It can also come from backyard poultry, small pets like turtles or frogs, and contaminated pet food.
You can catch it by eating contaminated food or by touching it and then touching your mouth. You may carry the germ on your hands or clothes and spread it without feeling sick yourself.
What are the symptoms?
Most people get stomach cramps, diarrhea, and an upset stomach. Symptoms usually start six hours to a day after eating the germ and often go away in two to three days without treatment.
Some people barely notice they are sick. Others may have bad cramps, bloody diarrhea, high fever, or extreme tiredness. If you notice these serious signs, see a doctor.
How is it treated?
Most people recover on their own. Drinking water or electrolyte drinks helps replace lost fluids. You should call a doctor if you have:
- A fever over 102°F
- Diarrhea that lasts more than three days
- Blood in your stools
- Severe vomiting that stops you from keeping liquids down
Doctors sometimes give antibiotics, but this can make you carry and spread Salmonella longer, even if you feel better.
What complications can happen?
Some people get much sicker than others. Those at highest risk include:
- Adults aged 65 and older
- Pregnant women
- Children under 5
- People with weak immune systems (for example, from cancer or certain medicines)
In rare cases, Salmonella can get into the blood and spread to the urinary tract, bones, joints, or even the brain and spinal fluid. It can also cause unusual problems in blood vessels, especially if they are already narrowed by plaque.
How can you avoid Salmonella?
You can lower your risk by following these steps:
- Wash cutting boards, plates, and utensils with hot, soapy water after cutting raw foods. If you can, use separate boards for meat, fish, and produce.
- Refrigerate or freeze perishable foods and leftovers within two hours.
- Wash your hands well with soap and water before cooking, after touching animals, after using the toilet, and after changing diapers.
- If a pet is sick, handle its waste with care and wash your hands afterward.
Extra care for vulnerable people:
- Keep young children from touching high-risk animals like turtles, frogs, chickens, or ducks. At petting zoos, clean their hands right away.
- Older adults and people with weak immune systems should be extra sure to wash and cook foods thoroughly.
- People who have had organ transplants should not keep reptiles or amphibians as pets.
Being careful with food and hygiene can help protect everyone, especially people who are more likely to get seriously ill.