Thursday, January 8, 2009
Salmonellosis is a bacterial infection that usually affects the intestinal tract and occasionally the bloodstream. It is one of the most common causes of gastroenteritis and produces several thousand cases each year in New York. Most cases occur during the summer months and in specific cases, outbreaks can occur.
Who contracted salmonellosis?
While the disease can be contracted by anyone, it is recognized that its incidence is highest among infants and children.
How is salmonella bacteria?
Salmonella is spread through consumption of food or water contaminated by contact with infected people or animals.
What are the symptoms of salmonellosis?
People exposed to salmonella may have mild or severe diarrhea, fever and in some cases, vomiting. Bloodstream infections can be very serious, especially for very young children or the elderly.
How long after exposure symptoms appear?
Symptoms usually appear within one to three days after exposure.
Where is salmonella?
Salmonella can be found easily in our food chain and the environment. The agencies often contaminate eggs, raw meat and dairy products from non-pasteurized cheese. Other sources of exposure may include contact with infected pets such as turtles, chickens, dogs and cats.
How long can an infected person to be carrying the germs of salmonella?
The carrier status varies from a few days to several months. Babies and people who have received treatment with oral antibiotics tend to carry the germ longer than others.
Is it necessary to isolate or exclude from the school or the workplace for those infected?
Because Salmonella is found in feces, it is only necessary to isolate people with active diarrhea that can not control their bowel habits (eg, infants, young children and persons with disabilities). Most infected people may return to work or school if they can control these habits, as long as they wash their hands well after the evacuation. People who handle food, children attending day care and health workers must obtain approval of the local health department or state before returning to their routine activities.
What is the treatment for salmonellosis?
Most people infected with salmonella recover without help or just need fluids to avoid dehydration. Usually, we do not recommend the use of antibiotics or medicines to control diarrhea cases common with intestinal infections.
How can you prevent salmonellosis?
1. Always treat raw meat of poultry, cows and pigs as if it were contaminated and proceed as follows:
Wrap meat in plastic bags in the market to prevent the blood off on the rest of the food.
Refrigerate foods immediately, minimize their stay at room temperature.
Once the counters used for food preparation and cutting boards them, wash them immediately needed to prevent cross-contamination with other foods.
Avoid eating raw or poorly cooked meat.
Make sure that food reaching the internal temperature of cooking, especially when using microwave ovens.
2. Avoid eating raw eggs or foods containing eggs cooked bit raw.
3. Avoid using raw milk.
4. Incentive wash hands thoroughly before and after preparing food.
5. Make sure that children, especially those who play with pets, wash their hands carefully.
6. Do not have reptiles as pets in homes where people living with compromised immune systems or young children.
Labels: Health