Salmonella is considered to be the second most frequently recorded intestinal infection in the Unites States of America. In the year 2009 over 7,000 cases attributed to Salmonella infection was recorded and numerous cases also went unreported. Salmonella is a kind of bacterial infection which may afflict a person who may consume food that may be contaminated due to the feces of parasites, animals or humans containing salmonella virus. The most common sources or carriers of salmonella are said to be meats, eggs as well as other poultry products, etc. Nevertheless, these bacteria may also be present in other eatables such as fruits and vegetables. Raw and undercooked food stuff such as egg, water (not boiled), raw milk and undercooked meat are some foods that may possibly contain the influential virus.
Based on the reports of 2011, approximately 400 deaths in United State is attributed to Salmonella infection, whereas approximately 1 million people gets affected with Salmonella and mere 20, 000 are diagnosed or hospitalized. The salmonella infection can be categorized in either of the two categories namely Typhoidal and non- typhoidal. The typhoidal salmonella is amongst the rare infectious conditions caused by the bacteria. This condition may be serious as the infection may lead to typhoid fever. On the other hand, non- typhoidal Salmonella is categorized as common type of infection and can be carried by animals as well as humans. To your information salmonella virus can be carried by your pets such as turtle, birds, rabbits and rodent. The infectious conditions usually lead to food poisoning, but there may also be other symptoms of salmonella infection.
Salmonella Symptoms
There are various symptoms incase of salmonella infection. However some cases of salmonellosis may be nondescript. Some of the most common symptoms of salmonellosis include:
• Diarrhea
• High fever
• Stomach cramps
There are additional symptoms of salmonella which are as follows:
• Vomiting
• Body Pain
• Queasiness
• Diarrhea with clumps of blood
• Head pain
Symptoms of typhoidal fever:
The symptoms of such fever onsets between 8 to 14 days after the onset of the affliction by the contaminated food. These symptoms may last for approximately 3 to 60 days if no treatment is obtained. These signs may include:
• Fever of up to 104 degree Fahrenheit
• Weariness
• Stomach pain
• Cough
• Bleeding from nose
• Protruded organs
• Delirium
It should be known that typhoid fever, which may be caused due to infection, is a serious condition which should be treated timely. If it is left untreated, it may also lead to death. However, conventional salmonella symptoms may onset with in 6 to 72 hours from the time of consumption of the virus.
Salmonella Symptoms – When to call a doctor?
It is necessary to call the doctor and seek medical attention as soon as any of the above mentioned symptoms are experienced. It becomes crucial to consult a doctor if the diarrhea persists more the 24 hours. Also if any affected individual suffers from intense stomach cramp, immediate medical treatment should be obtained. Treatment becomes necessary when a person experiences blood in his/her feces.
Adverse consequences of salmonella:
Salmonella is most likely to be experience by children and people over the age of 65 years. There are certain complications experienced in such infections which may include:
• Reactive Arthritis:
It is recorded that in approximately 2 to 15 percent of salmonella cases may also cause reactive arthritis. Symptoms of reactive Arthritis may include inflammation of eyes, urinary organ, pelvic region, joints and reproductive organ. In average cases, these symptoms may be experienced approx 18 days after the onset of infection.
• Focal infection:
Focal infection is a condition which causes physical issues such as endocartitis or arthritis. This kind of infection occurs when salmonella bacteria reaches the tissues and affects it causing such illness. This kind of condition may arise only due to typhoidal salmonella.
Treatment for salmonella Infection
To your information, most conventional cases of salmonella infections are benign and do not require any treatment. Such mild cases may last up to 3 to 7 days, from the onset of the physical condition. However those people who suffer from serious dehydration caused due to salmonella infection may require treatment for rehydration; such people may be treated with IV.
In some cases, people afflicted with invasive salmonella infection may be suggested antibiotic regime for obtaining relief; this may also be applicable for children and infants. Antibiotics may also be used in typhoidal salmonella cases to treat typhoid fever through a 14 days antibiotic regime. Unfortunately the treatment of salmonella turns to be difficult as the infection may become antibiotic resistant. Hence it is essential to find the correct antibiotic that may treat the bacterial infection immediately.
Salmonella – Dangers of Dehydration:
A patient afflicted with salmonella may also from dehydration as the condition causes symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting, which may result in drainage of fluids and other minerals in the body. If the degree of fluid intake is significantly lesser than the degree of the fluid drained, the phenomenon may result in dehydration. The cases of dehydration related to salmonella infections are serious conditions and should be examined by doctor immediately. There are certain signs of dehydration which may include:
• Dryness of tongue
• Dry and flake skin
• Significantly augmented thirst
• Unusually darker urine
• Weakness
• Dramatic infrequency in urination
Prevention of salmonella infection
It is always said that prevention is anytime a better option then cure. Likewise it is better to prevent the infection from afflicting you or any of your family members. There are certain common techniques that can be adopted to prevent salmonella infection. Here are some useful measures that should be adopted:
• Cleaning hands before eating or after touching your pets
• Maintaining cleanliness in house and surroundings
• Washing eatable well before cooking
• Avoid intake of raw food and drinks such as milk
• Ensure that food is cooked well before eating
These are some essential techniques which may be used to efficiently prevent the affliction of salmonella infection.
