Salmonellosis overview

Overview
Salmonellosis is an infection with Salmonella bacteria. Most persons infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, vomiting, and abdominal cramps 6 to 72 hours after infection. In most cases, the illness lasts 3 to 7 days—most affected persons recover without treatment. However, in some persons the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient becomes dangerously dehydrated and must be taken to a hospital. At the hospital, the patients will receive intravenous fluids to treat their dehydration and medications may be given to provide symptomatic relief, like fever reduction. In severe cases, the Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the blood stream, and then to other body sites and can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics. The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness. Some people afflicted with Salmonellosis later experience reactive arthritis, which can have long-lasting, disabling effects.

The type of salmonella usually associated with infections in humans is called Non-Typhoidal Salmonella. It is usually contracted by ingesting raw or undercooked eggs, or from sources such as:

Cannabis contaminated with Salmonella muenchen was positively correlated with dozens of cases of salmonellosis in 1981.
 * Poultry and cattle, if the meat is prepared incorrectly or somehow becomes infected with the bacteria.
 * Infected eggs and milk, as well as egg products, when not prepared, handled, or refrigerated properly.
 * Reptiles such as turtles, lizards, and snakes, as they can carry the bacteria on their skin.
 * Pet rodents

A rarer form of salmonella called Typhoidal Salmonella can lead to typhoid fever. It is only carried by humans and is usually contracted through direct contact with the fecal matter of an infected person. It therefore mainly occurs in countries that do not have proper systems for handling human waste.