Salmonella Case

Salmonella

Salmonellosis is an infection caused by the bacteria Salmonella. Salmonella germs have been known to cause illnesses a very long time. Salmonella was discovered by a scientist named Salmon. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010)

Salmonella lives in the intestines of humans and animals, birds fall into this category as well. Salmonella is usually transmitted to humans by eating foods tainted with animal feces. Unclean foods usually look and smell ordinary. Unclean foods are often found in animals, such as beef, poultry, milk, or eggs; but any food may become unclean. Cooking food well kills Salmonella. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010)

There was an outbreak of Salmonella in the United States that was reported to the CDC on September 22, 2012. The strain of Salmonella that was reported was Salmonella Bredeney; the outbreak was linked to peanut butter manufactured by Sunland, Inc. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010)

Most persons infected with Salmonella show the symptoms of diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps twelve to 72 hours after being exposed to the bacteria. The illness usually lasts four to seven days, and most people recover without any form of treatment. However, some people, the diarrhea may be so extreme that the patient needs to be admitted to the hospital. In the patients that have to be hospitalized, the Salmonella infection may spread to the blood stream, and then to other parts of the body unless the person is treated quickly with medications. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010)

Steps that can be taken to prevent furthur infection. Thoroughly cooking your food to proper temperatures, when served uncooked food in a restaurant, don’t hesitate to send it back. Immediately after using or touching raw poultry and meat then wash with soap and water, by being particular when preparing food