Health Effects of Salmonella

Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after being infected. The illness usually lasts four to seven days and most people recover without treatment. As with any disease causing diarrhea or vomiting, those infected should drink plenty of liquids to replace lost body fluids. This is particularly important with very young children and seniors. In severe cases, patients may need to be given fluids intravenously, which is usually done in hospital.

In a small number of cases, Salmonella may spread from the intestines to the blood stream and other body sites, causing severe illness and, in vulnerable people, death. In cases of severe illness, patients may be treated with antibiotics. However, some Salmonella bacteria have become resistant to many commonly used antibiotics.

The effects and prevention of "Salmonella bacteria"

Salmonella are a group of bacteria that normally live in the intestinal tracts of animals and birds. The bacteria are usually transmitted to people when they eat foods contaminated with animal feces. Contaminated foods are often of animal origin, such as beef, poultry, milk or eggs. But all foods, including fruits and vegetables, can become contaminated.

Young children, seniors and those with weakened immune systems from diseases such as AIDS, or as a result of some cancer treatments, are the most vulnerable. The disease is more common in summer than in winter.

Sources of Salmonella

Contaminated foods, such as raw meat, poultry and eggs that have not been cooked properly, are the most common source of the disease. Not washing fresh fruits and vegetables before eating them, as well as not thoroughly cleaning work surfaces used to prepare raw meat and other foods in the kitchen can also expose you to Salmonella. Food can also be contaminated by food handlers who do not thoroughly wash their hands with soap after handling raw meat or after using the bathroom.

Salmonella can be found in the feces of some pets, especially those with diarrhea. Exotic pets, such as snakes, turtles and reptiles, may carry Salmonella even when healthy. People can become infected if they do not wash their hands after contact.

The Effects Of typhoid Fever

Relative bradycardia (less tachycardia than expected for the degree of fever) may occur in up to 50% of patients but is not a reliable diagnostic indicator.

Faintly erythematous maculopapules or rose spots occur on the trunk and may become hemorrhagic.

Cervical adenopathy and hepatosplenomegaly are often present.

Intestinal bleeding may occur from ulceration of mucosa overlying hyperplastic ileal Peyer patches.

Altered mental status and seizures may occur.

Ocular manifestations are rare and occur in association with systemic illness.These manifestations may include lid abscesses, corneal ulcers, uveitis, vitreous hemorrhage, retinal hemorrhage or detachment, optic neuritis, extraocular muscle palsies, orbital thromboses, and orbital abscesses.