Salmonellosis: Difference between revisions

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= Salmonellosis =
{{SI}}
 
{{Infobox medical condition
Salmonellosis is an infection caused by the bacteria of the genus ''Salmonella'', which includes a wide range of serotypes that can affect both humans and animals. This zoonotic disease is primarily contracted through the consumption of contaminated food or water, leading to gastrointestinal illness and occasionally more severe systemic infections.
| name          = Salmonellosis
 
| image          = [[File:SalmonellaNIAID.jpg|alt=Salmonella bacteria]]
[[File:Figure 1. IL-12-dependent IFN-gamma-mediated immunity and IL-23 signalling in response to Salmonella infection .png|thumb|500px|''Salmonella'' bacteria viewed under a microscope.]]
| caption        = ''[[Salmonella]]'' bacteria
 
| field          = [[Infectious disease]]
== Transmission ==
| symptoms      = [[Diarrhea]], [[fever]], [[abdominal cramps]], [[vomiting]]
The ''Salmonella'' bacteria are typically transmitted to humans through:
| complications  = [[Dehydration]], [[reactive arthritis]]
- Consumption of contaminated food, particularly undercooked meat, poultry, eggs, and egg products.
| onset          = 6 to 72 hours after exposure
- Ingestion of contaminated water.
| duration      = 4 to 7 days
- Direct or indirect contact with animals, especially reptiles, poultry, and livestock.
| causes        = ''[[Salmonella]]'' [[bacteria]]
- Person-to-person spread, particularly in settings with poor hygiene.
| risks          = [[Eating]] undercooked [[poultry]], [[eggs]], [[contact]] with infected [[animals]]
 
| diagnosis      = [[Stool culture]]
<youtube>
| prevention    = [[Hand washing]], [[proper food handling]], [[cooking]] food thoroughly
title='''{{PAGENAME}}'''  
| treatment      = [[Oral rehydration therapy]], [[antibiotics]] in severe cases
movie_url=http://www.youtube.com/v/-keXD1n_3Tg
| frequency      = 93.8 million cases worldwide per year
&rel=1
| deaths        = 155,000 deaths worldwide per year
embed_source_url=http://www.youtube.com/v/-keXD1n_3Tg
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'''Salmonellosis''' is an infection caused by the bacteria ''[[Salmonella]]''. It is a common bacterial disease that affects the intestinal tract. Humans become infected most frequently through contaminated water or food.
wrap = yes
==Signs and Symptoms==
width=750
The most common symptoms of salmonellosis are diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. These symptoms typically begin six hours to six days after infection and can last four to seven days. In some cases, the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. In rare cases, the infection can spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and then to other parts of the body, which can be life-threatening unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics.
height=600
==Causes==
</youtube>
Salmonellosis is caused by infection with ''Salmonella'' bacteria. There are many different types of ''Salmonella'', but the most common ones that cause illness in humans are ''Salmonella enterica'' and ''Salmonella bongori''. The bacteria live in the intestines of humans and animals and are shed through feces. Humans typically become infected through:
 
* Eating raw or undercooked meat, poultry, eggs, or egg products
== Symptoms ==
* Drinking contaminated water
Symptoms of salmonellosis usually begin 6 hours to 6 days after infection and include:
* Contact with infected animals, especially reptiles and birds
- Diarrhea
==Diagnosis==
- Abdominal cramps
Salmonellosis is diagnosed by a laboratory test of a stool sample. The test can identify the presence of ''Salmonella'' bacteria. In some cases, blood tests may be used to detect the bacteria if the infection has spread beyond the intestines.
- Fever
==Prevention==
- Nausea and vomiting
Preventing salmonellosis involves proper food handling and cooking practices. Key prevention strategies include:
In some cases, ''Salmonella'' infection can lead to more severe complications, such as dehydration, bacteremia (bacteria in the blood), and reactive arthritis.
* Cooking meat, poultry, and eggs thoroughly
 
* Avoiding cross-contamination by using separate cutting boards for raw meat and other foods
== Diagnosis ==
* Washing hands, kitchen work surfaces, and utensils with soap and water immediately after they have been in contact with raw meat or poultry
Diagnosis of salmonellosis is confirmed through the isolation of ''Salmonella'' bacteria from a patient's stool, blood, or other body fluids. Laboratory testing helps in identifying the specific serotype of ''Salmonella'' responsible for the infection, which can be crucial for outbreak investigations and understanding transmission patterns.
* Avoiding consumption of raw or unpasteurized milk and other dairy products
 
[[File:Prevention of Salmonella from the farm to table infographic.png|left|thumb|Prevention of Salmonella from the farm to table]]
== Treatment ==
==Treatment==
Treatment for salmonellosis involves:
Most people recover from salmonellosis without treatment. The primary treatment is rehydration, either orally or intravenously, to replace lost fluids and electrolytes. In severe cases, antibiotics may be prescribed, especially if the infection has spread beyond the intestines.
- Adequate hydration, either orally or intravenously for severe cases of dehydration.
==Complications==
- Antibiotic therapy is reserved for severe infections, infants, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems. The use of antibiotics must be carefully considered due to the increasing issue of antibiotic resistance.
Complications from salmonellosis can include severe dehydration, which may require hospitalization. In some cases, the infection can lead to reactive arthritis, a condition that causes joint pain and swelling.
 
==Also see==
== Prevention ==
* [[Foodborne illness]]
Preventive measures against salmonellosis include:
* [[Gastroenteritis]]
- Proper food handling and preparation practices, such as cooking meat and poultry thoroughly.
* [[Infectious disease]]
- Regular hand washing, especially after handling animals or their environments.
* [[Antibiotic resistance]]
- Avoiding cross-contamination in the kitchen between raw and cooked foods.
{{Infectious diseases}}
- Refrigerating perishable foods promptly.
[[Category:Infectious diseases]]
 
== Public Health Significance ==
Salmonellosis remains a significant public health concern worldwide due to its widespread occurrence and potential for outbreak situations. Surveillance and control efforts are essential to prevent and respond to salmonellosis outbreaks, especially those linked to contaminated food products.
 
== External Links ==
* [https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/index.html Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Salmonella]
* [https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/salmonella-(non-typhoidal) World Health Organization - Salmonella (non-typhoidal)]
 
== References ==
<references />
 
[[Category:Bacterial diseases]]
[[Category:Bacterial diseases]]
[[Category:Foodborne illnesses]]
[[Category:Foodborne illnesses]]
[[Category:Infectious diseases]]
{{stub}}

Latest revision as of 18:16, 8 April 2025

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD's medical weight loss NYC, sleep center NYC
Philadelphia medical weight loss and Philadelphia sleep clinics

Salmonellosis
Salmonella bacteria
Synonyms N/A
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps, vomiting
Complications Dehydration, reactive arthritis
Onset 6 to 72 hours after exposure
Duration 4 to 7 days
Types N/A
Causes Salmonella bacteria
Risks Eating undercooked poultry, eggs, contact with infected animals
Diagnosis Stool culture
Differential diagnosis N/A
Prevention Hand washing, proper food handling, cooking food thoroughly
Treatment Oral rehydration therapy, antibiotics in severe cases
Medication N/A
Prognosis N/A
Frequency 93.8 million cases worldwide per year
Deaths 155,000 deaths worldwide per year


Salmonellosis is an infection caused by the bacteria Salmonella. It is a common bacterial disease that affects the intestinal tract. Humans become infected most frequently through contaminated water or food.

Signs and Symptoms[edit]

The most common symptoms of salmonellosis are diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. These symptoms typically begin six hours to six days after infection and can last four to seven days. In some cases, the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. In rare cases, the infection can spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and then to other parts of the body, which can be life-threatening unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics.

Causes[edit]

Salmonellosis is caused by infection with Salmonella bacteria. There are many different types of Salmonella, but the most common ones that cause illness in humans are Salmonella enterica and Salmonella bongori. The bacteria live in the intestines of humans and animals and are shed through feces. Humans typically become infected through:

  • Eating raw or undercooked meat, poultry, eggs, or egg products
  • Drinking contaminated water
  • Contact with infected animals, especially reptiles and birds

Diagnosis[edit]

Salmonellosis is diagnosed by a laboratory test of a stool sample. The test can identify the presence of Salmonella bacteria. In some cases, blood tests may be used to detect the bacteria if the infection has spread beyond the intestines.

Prevention[edit]

Preventing salmonellosis involves proper food handling and cooking practices. Key prevention strategies include:

  • Cooking meat, poultry, and eggs thoroughly
  • Avoiding cross-contamination by using separate cutting boards for raw meat and other foods
  • Washing hands, kitchen work surfaces, and utensils with soap and water immediately after they have been in contact with raw meat or poultry
  • Avoiding consumption of raw or unpasteurized milk and other dairy products
Prevention of Salmonella from the farm to table

Treatment[edit]

Most people recover from salmonellosis without treatment. The primary treatment is rehydration, either orally or intravenously, to replace lost fluids and electrolytes. In severe cases, antibiotics may be prescribed, especially if the infection has spread beyond the intestines.

Complications[edit]

Complications from salmonellosis can include severe dehydration, which may require hospitalization. In some cases, the infection can lead to reactive arthritis, a condition that causes joint pain and swelling.

Also see[edit]