What is Salmonella and How to Avoid Exposure
Salmonella bacteria are a significant public health problem worldwide.
Edited and resized image by Miguel Andrade, is available on Unsplash
salmonella is a genus of pathogenic bacteria transmitted through contaminated food. They are bacillus-type bacteria considered a significant public health problem worldwide. They host in humans and animals.
Infections by salmonella are highly contagious, being called salmonellosis. Contact with infected people and animals, food and objects contaminated by salmonella can lead to an infection.
Symptoms of salmonellosis can include:
- loss of appetite
- Diarrhea
- Cramps in the abdomen
- Severe headache
- Chills
- Fever
- Nausea
- vomiting
- bloody stools
How to avoid contamination
Bacteria of the genus salmonella cause infection by fecal-oral transmission. This happens when food, water or objects dirty from human or animal feces come into contact with the mouth.
Eating raw or undercooked meat is the most common way to get infected with the salmonella. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 94% of salmonellosis cases result from eating contaminated food, including:- Beef
- Pig meat
- Chicken
- Peru
- Fishes
Raw meat can carry fecal bacteria that were present in the animal before it was slaughtered. Contaminated bird eggs can also carry bacteria salmonella . Eating raw eggs, in particular, increases the risk of infection with salmonella .
Unwashed fruits and vegetables can also carry fecal bacteria. Bacteria can infect fruits and vegetables through fertilizers or contaminated water. Bacteria can also come from animal feces deposited near where fruits or vegetables were grown.
How is it transmitted from person to person
Salmonellosis is very contagious. It can be passed on by someone who has it, even if they are not having any symptoms or have had successful antibiotic treatment. Contact with the saliva of someone who carries the bacteria can transmit it. Kissing and sexual contact where there is exposure to faecal bacteria, as in the case of anal sex, can also increase vulnerability to bacteria of this genus.
Share items contaminated by salmonella it can also generate an infection. The most common items include:
- Utensils such as fork or spoon
- Glass
- Water bottles
- lip balm
- Lipstick
- Cigarette
- Cigar
- straw
Putting an object in your mouth touched by someone with an active infection can also transmit salmonellosis.
Salmonellosis symptoms usually last about four to seven days. A person can still pass on the bacteria for several weeks after symptoms subside and even several months later.
The North Dakota Department of Health notes that about 1% of adults and 5% of babies contract salmonella they still have traces of the bacteria in their stools for a year or more. most bacteria salmonella lives on dry surfaces for up to four hours before they are no longer infectious. But the survival rate of salmonella it also depends on the species. A study found that the species Salmonella enteritidis can survive for four days in quantities high enough to cause an infection.
How to avoid exposure to Salmonella
The best way to prevent salmonellosis is to take steps to minimize your exposure to bacteria. salmonella . These tips will also prevent passing salmonellosis to others:
- Do not share anything with someone who has salmonellosis. Also, don't share anything of yours that touches your hands or mouth if you're infected;
- Do not kiss or have sex if you or the other person has contracted the bacteria;
- Avoid sharing anything that has touched your mouth with someone else until you are sure it is no longer carrying the bacteria;
- Wash your hands immediately after handling animals such as reptiles, amphibians, animals such as cows and horses, wild animals and pets;
- Clean any surface that comes in contact with raw meat or other raw foods that can carry bacteria.
- Wash your hands thoroughly before and after touching raw meat or unwashed fruits and vegetables;
- Do not drink raw, unpasteurized or unpurified liquids, especially milk and water;
- Cook meat, eggs and other animal products thoroughly to kill bacteria through heat or avoid consuming them;
- Refrigerate foods immediately after buying or preparing them;
- Check regularly for notices of recall of food in local supermarkets;
- Throw away any food or pour any water you suspect is contaminated.
Adapted from Healthline
