Health Tips

About Salmonella

Salmonella, a type of bacteria named after D.E. Salmon, an American bacteriologist, was first isolated the bacteria from a pig intestine in 1884. Most types of Salmonella cause infection termed salmonellosis, which commonly affects the gastrointestinal system. Many animals are carriers of Salmonella bacteria, including poultries, if eaten undercooked can cause salmonellosis causing symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomiting.

Did you know?

Nontyphoidal Salmonella is the major cause of diarrhoea worldwide, while other types of Salmonella cause typhoid fever or paratyphoid fever. 

Salmonella lives in the intestines of people and animals. Salmonellosis is most commonly associated with the ingestion of poultry, raw eggs and milk products, as well as fresh produce, meats, and other foodstuffs. Contact with infected pets, reptiles and other animals can also cause salmonellosis.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of salmonellosis typically occur within 8 to 72 hours after exposure after ingestion of contaminated food or water, which include:

• Diarrhoea

• Vomiting

• Fever

• Stomach cramp 

• Chills

• Feeling weak

• Blood in stool

Typically signs and symptoms of salmonellosis last between 2 to 7 days, while some may experience a longer duration of diarrhoea up to 10 days or so. Depending on the severity of the infection, some individuals take several months before their bowel function returns to normal. In severe cases, the diarrhoea associated with salmonellosis can lead to severe dehydration, requiring urgent medical attention. This condition can also be considered serious if the infection spreads beyond the gut. 

It is indeed difficult to distinguish other gastrointestinal infections from salmonellosis as they share very similar symptoms. The definitive diagnosis of salmonellosis requires isolation of the bacteria from the stool cultures.

Who is at risk of having severe salmonellosis?

1. Children below 5 years old

2. Infants (less than 1-year-old), especially the ones who are not breastfed

3. The elderly population aged 65 and above

4. Individuals with weakened immune systems, or on immunosuppressants (medications that suppress the immune system due to an overactive immune response) for the chronic condition  

5. Individuals who are on certain medications, e.g., antacids, recent use of antibiotics 

Sometimes, Salmonella can cause infection in blood, bone, joints, urine, or the brain, leading to severe infection.

How is it treated?

Individuals infected with a nontyphoidal Salmonella infection can recover without antibiotics. Fever generally resolves within 48 to 72 hours and diarrhoea within 4 to 10 days. Medications such as Paracetamol and/or anti-diarrheal medications can be taken to relieve the symptoms. The most important point is that infected individuals should drink extra fluids and water as long as the diarrhoea lasts, as to compensate for the fluid loss.

Antibiotics may be needed for those with severe infection or in a group of people at a higher risk for severe infection, as stated above. 

Prevention is better than cure

• Cook meat, poultry and eggs thoroughly.

• Avoid eating raw and undercooked meat/steak.

• Separate raw and cooked food in a separate container.

• Use different utensils (chopping board, knives) for raw and cooked food.

• Wash hands thoroughly before, during and after all food preparation, as well as after handling and playing with pets.

All in all

Salmonellosis is a very common food poisoning infection that sometimes can lead to severe disease. Always make sure that your hands are clean and washed thoroughly to prevent the transfer of salmonella to your mouth or the food that you are preparing. In addition, ensure the food you consume is well-cooked and not contaminated.

Medically reviewed by Ashwini Nair, MB BCh BAO.

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References:

1. Ajmera A, Shabbir N. Salmonella. In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2022. Accessed April 8, 2022. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK555892/
2. Nontyphoidal Salmonella: Gastrointestinal infection and carriage - UpToDate. Accessed April 8, 2022. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/nontyphoidal-salmonella-gastrointestinal-infection-and-carriage?search=salmonella&source=search_result&selectedTitle=1~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=1#H1
3. Questions and Answers | Salmonella | CDC. Published December 5, 2019. Accessed April 8, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/general/index.html

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Written by

DOC2US Editorial Team