What is Salmonella infection?
Salmonella infection usually causes inflammation of the intestines. It is caused by the bacterium Salmonella, which is usually transmitted through the ingestion of contaminated food.
Is Salmonella bacteria transmissible?
Yes, Salmonella bacteria can be transmitted from animals to people and from person to person. This can happen through contact with contaminated animal feces, during food handling or poor hand hygiene, and by ingestion of contaminated food or water.
What are the symptoms of Salmonella infection?
Although most Salmonella infections go unnoticed, some people may experience the following symptoms:
These symptoms usually appear between 8 and 72 hours after infection and can last between 4 and 7 days.
What are the main complications of Salmonella infection?
Although complications from this infection are rare, when it arises in weakened immune systems, it can cause:
- severe dehydration
- joint pain
- Expansion of the bacteria into the blood, affecting other organs
- The Evolution to typhoid fever
What are the risk groups for Salmonella infection?
Salmonella infection carries a higher risk for:
- Children under 5 years old
- Elderly
- immunosuppressed patients
What risk behaviours can lead to contracting this infection?
The main risk behaviours for contracting Salmonella infection are:
- food consumption, such as:
- Rare meat
- Undercooked eggs
- underwashed or undercooked raw vegetables
- shellfish
- Unwashed fruit
- Do not wash your hands after:
- the use of the bathroom
Changing diapers - contact with animals, mainly of the bird and reptile class
- the use of the bathroom
- Visiting places/countries with poor sanitary conditions
How can I prevent Salmonella infection?
Many Salmonella infections can be prevented by adopting the following behaviors:
- wash and disinfect hands frequently
- Cook food thoroughly, namely meat, vegetables and eggs
- Wash food under running water or in a chlorinated liquid
- Be careful when preserving food using refrigeration or freezing
How is Salmonella infection diagnosed?
The diagnosis of Salmonella infection is made from laboratory tests of the stool.
What is the treatment for Salmonella infection?
Most people recover without treatment, however, it is necessary to pay special attention to hydration.
Under medical supervision, the use of diarrhoea control drugs or antibiotics may also be considered if the infection is severe and passes into the bloodstream.
Source: Directorate-General for Health (DGS)