Most people are pretty familiar with the term “Salmonella” and what it means. Salmonella is a foodborne illness that can be contracted by consuming contaminated drink or food such as unpasteurized dairy, raw meats, and fresh fruits and vegetables. According to the CDC, Salmonella causes approximately 1.35 million infections, 26,500 hospitalizations, and 420 deaths in the United States every year. Although it is quite common, most people are unaware that there are different types of Salmonella, called “serotypes”. There are actually hundreds of different serotypes of Salmonella, although scientists have identified “less than 100” that are commonly found in humans.
How do people contract Salmonella? People become infected with Salmonella by consuming either food or water that is contaminated with the bacteria. This can, once again, become a problem if a person has consumed raw or undercooked meats, unwashed produce, and unpasteurized or “raw” dairy. Salmonella can also be contracted if a person is handling any of these foods and fails to wash their hands or clean the surfaces these foods have touched, resulting in the bacteria being transferred from one surface to another. This is called cross-contamination.
One national food poisoning lawyer, an expert in Salmonella and other food poisoning illnesses, stated, “Most people don’t realize how important it is to wash your hands and the surfaces these products have touched. Salmonella bacteria are very resistant, and can survive in both dry and wet environments for days, and is favorable conditions, for several weeks.” Furthermore, in order to prevent infection, it is important to cook foods at safe, regulated temperatures, and to follow this up with through hand washing and sanitizing all kitchen surfaces.
It is also critical to be on the lookout for recent recalls of possibly contaminated foods and products. This website is very useful for that: www.foodpoisoningnews.com
What are the symptoms, and how does it affect people?
The most common symptoms of Salmonella include, according to the CDC, diarrhea (can be bloody), fever, and stomach cramps. Some people may even suffer from persistent nausea, vomiting, or headaches. For most, treatment from a doctor isn’t needed. The symptoms often last for approximately a week and then begin to go away on their own. But for some, hospitalization is required, the biggest reason being dehydration. The most likely to require hospitalization include those who are pregnant, the immunocompromised, young children and older adults, and those who suffer from severe health conditions.
In order to confirm your diagnosis of Salmonella or of another food poisoning bacteria, a stool sample is required in order to confirm a diagnosis. If a presence of the bacteria is discovered, then the diagnosis is confirmed. It is imperative that the person then contacts the Health Department, so they are aware of the situation and can begin to intervene to prevent a wider-potential outbreak. Victims may also seek the advice of a food poisoning lawyer if they have questions.
