How to recognize salmonellosis and how to treat it

Salmonellosis is an acute intestinal infection caused by bacteria of the genus Salmonella .

These germs enter the body through food or unwashed hands. They create colonies on the walls of the small intestine and cause inflammation. At the same time, in the process of life, salmonella release toxins, which also worsen a person’s well-being.

What are the symptoms of salmonellosis

Most often, the signs of salmonellosis are similar to those of intestinal flu . This :

• diarrhea;
• sudden increase in temperature (fever);
• abdominal pain;
• nausea and vomiting;
• headache;
• copious, foul-smelling, green, foamy and frequent stools, which may contain mucus and streaks of blood, as well as undigested food debris.

Symptoms usually appear within a few hours to a couple of days after infection. And they last on average from 2 to 7 days, although diarrhea after suffering from salmonellosis can last up to several months. But the problem is not only diarrhea.

It is also possible to asymptomatically excrete Salmonella in feces – then the person is a carrier of the bacteria. Within three months after an episode of the disease, carriage is considered acute, more than three months – chronic. A single isolation of Salmonella from a healthy person is considered transient and can be observed at the site of infection.

Why is salmonellosis dangerous?

Most often nothing. Most people, after surviving a few unpleasant days, make a full recovery even without special treatment. But in some cases, salmonellosis becomes life-threatening.

These are the serious consequences that can arise.

Dehydration

This is the most obvious danger . With diarrhea and vomiting, a person loses a lot of fluid, and a lack of moisture can disrupt the functioning of internal organs, including the brain or heart.

Bacteremia

This is the name of the condition when bacteria enter the blood . Together with the bloodstream, salmonella spread throughout the body. And they can settle in other organs and tissues, causing their inflammation.

Here are some fairly common complications of salmonellosis:

• That is, inflammation of the tissues surrounding the spinal cord and brain.
• This is an inflammation of the lining of the heart or the heart valves.
• This disease is said to occur when the bones and bone marrow become inflamed.
• This is an inflammation of the inner lining of blood vessels.

Reactive arthritis

People who have had salmonellosis are more likely to develop reactive arthritis. Aka Reiter’s syndrome. This disease manifests itself:

• pain in the joints – it can last for months and interferes with life: it impairs the mobility of the limbs, prevents you from playing sports;
• eye irritation.

What to do if you suspect salmonellosis

It is impossible to predict exactly how the disease will develop in your case. Therefore, at the first alarming signs, you should consult a therapist.

This is especially important if the person suspected of having the infection is at risk . Here are some people with salmonellosis that can be especially severe:

• Children under 5 years old.
• Infants (children under 12 months) who are not breastfed.
• People over 65 years of age.
• Those taking certain medications. For example, drugs that reduce stomach acid, immunosuppressants, antibioticsor corticosteroids.
• People with existing inflammatory bowel disease.
• People with weakened immune systems. For example, those diagnosed with sickle cell anemia, malaria, AIDS.

How to treat salmonellosis

First you need to establish a diagnosis. To detect salmonella, a stool sample is examined. You may also need to take a blood test if the doctor suspects that the infection has entered the bloodstream.

If salmonellosis is confirmed, you will be prescribed treatment . Its main purpose is to prevent dehydration. Therefore, your doctor will recommend drinking more fluids (or, if you feel nauseous, sucking on ice cubes) and taking medications to restore electrolyte balance.

In severe cases of dehydration, patients are hospitalized and placed on a drip to receive intravenous fluids.

You may also be prescribed antibiotics . Antimicrobial agents are necessary if the infection has entered the bloodstream. They are also prescribed if salmonellosis is severe or you have a weakened immune system. For mild cases of the disease, these drugs are useless.

How to avoid getting salmonellosis

People most often become infected with salmonella when they eat poorly processed foods contaminated with feces. This is for example:

• Raw eggs. Pathogens can be found both on poorly washed shells and inside: some infected chickens lay initially infected eggs . Let us add that pasteurization of eggs is not mandatory in Russia.
• Raw meat, poultry, seafood.
• Fruits and vegetables. Salmonella can get on them if you cut salad on a cutting board that is poorly washed after raw meat. Or if you simply picked up an apple with unwashed hands after using the toilet.

You can also get an infection if you touch a contaminated surface. Suppose you stroke a poultry or animal, and then, forgetting yourself, pull your fingers into your mouth. You can also become infected from a sick person.

Considering the possible routes of transmission of infection, the prevention of salmonellosis looks like this.

1. Wash your hands regularly

Especially after you went to the toilet, changed your baby’s diaper, cooked something from raw meat, cleaned up pet feces, petted a cat , bird or reptile whose health you are not sure about.

2. Separate food in the kitchen

• Store raw meat, poultry, and seafood separately from vegetables and fruits.
• Have different cutting boards for raw meats and vegetables and fruits.
• Never place cooked food in unwashed containers that have previously contained raw meat.

3. Avoid eating raw eggs.

If you put them in the dough, don’t taste it until it’s baked. To make homemade mayonnaise, ice cream, and eggnog, use pasteurized eggs whenever possible.