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What is Salmonella?

J.Gunsch
J.Gunsch

Salmonella refers to a genus of rod shaped bacterium, named after their discoverer Daniel Salmon in 1906. Some of these bacteria are responsible for many illnesses in humans and other animals, most commonly food poisoning and typhoid fever. Salmonella lives in the intestines of mammals, birds and reptiles and is usually harmless.

The type of salmonella that is a health hazard to humans is usually contracted by touching raw meat, raw eggs, raw shellfish or unpasteurized animal products such as milk and cheese. These bacteria can also be acquired by touching living turtles, birds and humans that have the bacteria on their hands. It is not a threat until it is ingested, which is one reason why hand washing is important.

Turtles can spread salmonella.
Turtles can spread salmonella.

Food poisoning caused by this bacteria results from touching or eating contaminated foods. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and fever. Many foods that people prepare in their home, especially meats and poultry, have warning labels about safe handling on the packaging for this reason. Meat that is not properly cooked or food that is not temperature controlled is often the result of food poisoning when eating out.

A Salmonella bacterium.
A Salmonella bacterium.

Salmonella poisoning usually goes away on its own without treatment in five to seven days. However, if vomiting and diarrhea are severe and prolonged, a person can become dangerously dehydrated and must seek medical help. In addition, infected infants, the elderly and people that have weak immune systems often need medical care because the bacteria sometimes spreads to the bloodstream and can become fatal.

Caesar salad dressing contains raw eggs, so could be contaminated by salmonella.
Caesar salad dressing contains raw eggs, so could be contaminated by salmonella.

Typhoid fever is a caused by a strain of salmonella similar to that which causes food poisoning, but more severe. Unlike salmonella poisoning, typhoid fever does not resolve itself and must be treated with specific antibiotics. A person who has been treated for typhoid fever may still be contagious to others for days, weeks or years, even though that person no longer has symptoms.

Hand washing is one of the best ways to avoid salmonella poisoning.
Hand washing is one of the best ways to avoid salmonella poisoning.

Typhoid fever is not common in western countries. Rather, it is found in contaminated water and food supplies of some developing countries. Typhoid fever is mainly spread through the ingestion of feces and urine. In countries that do not have adequate sewage disposal, human and animal wastes pollute the same water that is used for drinking, cooking and hand washing. Left untreated, typhoid fever is fatal.

Discussion Comments

anon81774

Does salmonella eat anything inside your body?

anon78209

It doesn't live on fruit. The reason it gets on fruit is when someone that has the bacteria touches it.

anon49414

I heard from PETA that the veggie contamination is related to poor farming and waste removal in near by animal producing farms.

anon32937

Does salmonella live on any fruits or can you get it from any fruits?

habura

I always thought salmonella poisoning only had to do with meats or meat products, but apparently its been a problem on tomatoes for example since 1990 (according to the CDC). So, if it's something that lives in the intestines, how does it live on produce? Is it because of contaminated fertilizer used for the produce?

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    • Turtles can spread salmonella.
      Turtles can spread salmonella.
    • A Salmonella bacterium.
      By: Lyuba Bunakova
      A Salmonella bacterium.
    • Caesar salad dressing contains raw eggs, so could be contaminated by salmonella.
      By: elnariz
      Caesar salad dressing contains raw eggs, so could be contaminated by salmonella.
    • Hand washing is one of the best ways to avoid salmonella poisoning.
      By: xy
      Hand washing is one of the best ways to avoid salmonella poisoning.
    • Symptoms of salmonella includes abdominal cramps.
      By: Dessie
      Symptoms of salmonella includes abdominal cramps.
    • Salmonella poisoning may lead to severe dehydration.
      By: Dmitry Lobanov
      Salmonella poisoning may lead to severe dehydration.
    • A case of salmonella may cause fever and vomiting in addition to abdominal pain.
      By: Ocskay Bence
      A case of salmonella may cause fever and vomiting in addition to abdominal pain.
    • Salmonella is associated with raw chicken.
      By: Bill
      Salmonella is associated with raw chicken.
    • Vomiting is common with salmonella poisoning.
      By: Tom Wang
      Vomiting is common with salmonella poisoning.
    • Meat should be cooked all the way through to kill harmful bacteria.
      By: kazoka303030
      Meat should be cooked all the way through to kill harmful bacteria.