Salmonella Infections
Alternate Names : Samonellosis, Salmonella Food Poisoning
What can be done to prevent the infection?
There are a few ways to help prevent this infection.
Certain pets, such as turtles and other reptiles, should not be kept in
homes with young children.
Hands should be washed with soap after changing diapers or using the
toilet.
Hands should be washed with soap after touching animals and animal
products, such as eggs.
Meat, poultry, and eggs should be cooked thoroughly before they are
eaten.
People are advised to get the Salmonella typhi vaccine
before traveling to certain areas. These areas include parts of Latin America,
Asia, and Africa.
Public health measures are important in food processing plants. Outbreaks
affecting thousands of people have occurred from a single dirty machine.
What are the long-term effects of the infection?
Salmonella infections usually have no long-term effects. Recovery takes less
than a week in most cases. More severe infections are seen in the very young
and the very old. People with weak immune systems may also develop more serious
infections. In these cases, infections may
involve the brain or heart. This can result in death or serious organ damage.
Those who have recovered from an attack of typhoid will
have
lifelong immunity. Complications of typhoid fever may include:
cholecystitis, or an
inflammation of the gallbladder
formation of abscesses, or pus pockets, in soft tissues
gastrointestinal
bleeding or a hole in the intestines
infections involving the heart
infections involving the reproductive organs in males and females
kidney and bladder infections
osteomyelitis, or an
infection within a bone
pneumonia and other
respiratory infections
septic arthritis, or
an infection within a joint
Some people develop a condition called Reiter syndrome following a Salmonella
infection. Reiter syndrome causes
joint pain, eye irritation, and painful urination.
What are the risks to others?
A Salmonella infection can easily be spread to others. People caring for
children or preparing food should follow the rules of good hygiene.
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