Sunday, February 24, 2008

Salmonella and How to Protect Yourself

Salmonella and How to Protect Yourself
What is Salmonella?

Salmonella is the bacterium that causes the infection known
as salmonellosis. Salmonella and salmonellosis owe their
names to the discoverer of the bacteria Daniel Salmon. The
microorganism was first found in pigs. Salmonella is
actually caused by a bacterium that leads into diarrheal
illness in human. The organisms pass from people or animals.

Diagnosis of salmonella

If you visit a health professional for diagnosis of the
machine, there will be a physical exam completed. The
patient with Salmonella may complain of abdominal pain,
nausea and diarrhea, vomiting, fever, or chills. The
physician will order diagnostic tests including a stool
culture.

What are the symptoms?

A salmonella bacterium produces symptoms in the host such
as bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, vomiting, and nausea.
Rose spots in the vision, headache and fatigue are quiet
common particularly amongst the aged and infants. Symptoms
often begin from 6 to 72 hours following ingestion. If the
progression is bacterial infections, (Reiters Syndrome)
becomes more likely. The symptoms typically last for four
to seven days. While in the early stages, the victim of
Salmonella may be thoroughly miserable battling, in most
instances the infection will go away without any further
treatment.

What is the frequency?

Salmonella is probably the most common food borne illness,
with one out of every five people in the United States
suffering a case of food poisoning each year, usually as a
result of improper food preparation and food storage
techniques. Poor food handling practices in restaurant
kitchens cause the contamination of food.

What are contributing factors?

Since salmonella bacteria live in human and animal
digestive tracts it is typically transmitted when food
contaminated with animal feces is ingested. The foods won't
look or smell off. They are usually foods of animal origin
but vegetables and other foods can become contaminated as
well. Cross contamination and careless food handling habits
cause a significant number of salmonella infection each
year. The feces of some pets cause infection. Reptiles are
more commonly found to have salmonella bacteria on the
carapace. Children should be taught to always wash their
hands following working with pets or pet feces.

What treatment methods are available?

Preventative measures are the best way to deal with
salmonella bacteria. Proper hand washing by food handlers
including use of soap after using the bathroom will prevent
the spread of the infection. Thorough cooking will kill the
bacteria as well. Separate foods with meats used in one set
and all others in the second set. Washing the dishes in hot
sudsy water helps to insure that the dishes are free of
salmonella bacterium. Washing hands frequently while
preparing the meal is another preventative tactic. Using
foods such as hollandaise sauce that has raw egg in it
should be one of the foods that is set aside for the
duration.

Most people recover without the necessity of any type of
treatment. The person may have such severe diarrhea however
that hospitalization is necessary in order to prevent
dehydration. If the infection spreads into the blood stream
from the intestines, rapid treatment with antibiotics is
crucial as a patient left untreated will die. Symptomatic
relief in the form of fever reduction and nausea prevention
can occur. Infants and elderly as well as those with immune
systems that are impaired are typically hit harder by the
illness.

Any foods of animal origin should be cooked before
ingestion. Foods which contain raw eggs, dairy products or
undercooked meats should be avoided. Produce prepared for
meals should be thoroughly washed.

The main thrust of the treatment regimen is to replace
electrolytes and fluids that disappear during the course of
illness due to diarrhea.

Some other treatment regimens include changing the diet to
include foods that will reduce the symptoms of diarrhea.
Avoid diuretics during the time frame and infants should
follow a BRAT diet as it has been helpful for most
patients. BRAT is an acronym for rice, bananas, apples and
tea.

While the disease runs its course, the patient can expect
to stay in bed rest with consumption of plenty of fluids.
Light foods should be taken when the patient feels like
resuming eating once again. The change in treatment to
hospitalization is only when the transition to bacteria in
the blood stream occurs with attendant dangers.


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