Your Health: Salmonella
The C.D.C. (Centers for Disease Control) reports that an average of 40,000 new cases of salmonella are reported every year, with about 600 of those resulting in death. Even more frightening is the estimate that more than a million cases, per year, may go either unreported or unrecognized! Quite often, people will overlook or disregard salmonella symptoms, simply thinking it’s a common flu virus.
So what are the symptoms of salmonella and how do you catch it? Are there any ways of preventing it? How about cures? The answers to these questions are surprisingly (and almost frighteningly) simple.
Salmonella infections mimic the same symptoms that one may experience when subjected to a particularly nasty strain of the latest flu bug. Causing diarrhea (sometimes mixed with blood and mucous, but not always), cramping, fever, and chills, these symptoms can last for as long as a week. Additional symptoms include headache, nausea and, with the combined symptoms, dehydration is quite common if one is not encouraged to take in fluids.
The salmonella bacteria are present all around us. Many children have been warned away from eating cookie and cake batter, due to the fact that the salmonella bacteria are commonly present in undercooked eggs. The truth of the matter, however, is that many of your undercooked foods have the potential to carry this harmful bacterial; eggs are not the only guilty culprits. Additionally, while one can kill the bacteria when they cook it, the bacteria may be spread to raw vegetables or cooked foods if proper hand washing is not done, or if utensils or food preparation areas are contaminated and then not cleaned properly.
Even our pets can spread the salmonella bacteria to us. Salmonella has been associated with many species of reptiles and, a study conducted during the 1970’s, estimated that more than 280,000 cases of salmonella were tied into reptiles, every year. This led to a ban on the sale of baby turtles possessing a shell size smaller than 4 inches (it was thought that larger turtles were less likely to end up in the mouths of smaller children). While this has shown a substantial decrease in the number of pediatric cases of salmonella, it is still estimated that roughly 6% of all cases of salmonella are still associated with reptiles.
But our scaly friends are not the only ones who can spread salmonella. The feces of any animal may possess the potential to spread the salmonella bacteria. It can even be carried by our dogs and cats, as well as being transferred in their saliva, when they lick you or one another. Dog treats, especially the ever-popular pig ears, can also spread salmonella.
Farm animals also risk carrying the disease and pigs, in particular, have been found to carry a strain of salmonella bacteria which carries a 20% mortality rate. Additionally, there is a high potential of carpet contamination in homes belonging to farmers who work with cattle or people who work in veterinary clinics. Also contaminating drinking water is a favorite past-time of the salmonella bacteria and he is also responsible for Typhoid Fever.
So now that we know what salmonella feels like and some of the ways in which it’s spreadâÂ?¦ but how do you prevent against the spread of salmonella and what do you do, should you be exposed to it? The USDA suggests that you should wash your hands and surfaces often; before you cook, after handling raw meats, and when you finish. Wash hands, dishes, cutting boards, etc., with hot soapy water. Separate your raw meat, poultry and seafood from your other foods in the refrigerator. Cook all foods to proper temperatures and, after eating, refrigerate any uneaten food promptly.
Salmonella fails to grow well, in colder temperatures, so refrigeration will help to lessen the chances of salmonella infection. Keep foods that tend to carry the bacteria (such as chicken and eggs), in the fridge so that you will lessen the amount of salmonella in your food, prior to cooking. Always ensure you cook your food to the correct temperature, to ensure that all of the bacteria has been destroyed.
Should you be diagnosed with salmonella, the best route of treatment is usually considered to be treating it with supportive therapy and drinking lots of fluids. Treating the infection with antibiotics is not recommended, due to the fact that many strains of salmonella have developed an immunity to them, making them more resistant to treatment. If you believe that you may be at risk of salmonella in your household, remember that bleach is the best known disinfectant, to date, and that care should be taken to wash your hands, not only before and after cooking, but also after handling pets and/or reptiles.
As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and, in regards to salmonella, this is no exception. Remember to wash those hands, keep your cooking area clean, and promptly refrigerate unused portions of food. Doing so will help keep you healthy and happy.
