Causes of Salmonella

Salmonella

Salmonella refers to a group of bacteria that cause salmonellosis in the intestine or salmonella infection gram-negative bacteria, typically gram-negative bacteria have a cell wall consisting of a thin layer of peptidoglycan covered by a membrane, and the appearance of salmonella sticks in the form of bars, and there are more than 2,300 subtypes of salmonella intestinal bacteria living in the intestines of infected humans and animals There are many causes of salmonella, in addition to many problems and diseases caused by these bacteria such as typhoid fever, food poisoning, gastroenteritis, intestinal fever, and other diseases.

Salmonella symptoms

Salmonella infection is often caused by eating meat, poultry, eggs, and raw or undercooked sickness. The incubation period of the disease ranges from several hours to two days. Possible symptoms and signs include:

Nausea.
Vomiting.
Abdominal convulsions.
Diarrhea.
Fever.
Chills.
headache.
Blood in the stool.

Salmonella infection signs and symptoms usually last two to seven days, and diarrhea may last for up to ten days, although it may take several months before the bowel returns to its normal position.

Causes of Salmonella

Salmonella lives in the intestines of birds, animals, and humans, and most human injuries occur by eating or drinking water contaminated with feces or due to a lack of hygiene. Salmonella causes include the following:

Meat, poultry, and uncooked seafood: pollution commonly occurs during slaughter, as well as seafood found in contaminated waters.

Uncooked eggs: eggs from an infected chicken may contain bacteria.

Fruits and vegetables: Fruits and vegetables may be causes of salmonella if they are contaminated by watering or washing them with contaminated water, but they can be contaminated if the person touches raw meat and then touches the fruit without washing the hand.

Lack of hygiene: Salmonella is a major cause. Common causes of contamination and infection include kitchen surfaces that are not kept clean, in addition to not washing hands while preparing food or after using the bathroom or in case of changing baby diapers. Anyone with contaminated hands can transmit the infection to other people by touching them.

Preservation of reptiles and amphibians: most reptiles and amphibians carry salmonella in their guts without becoming ill, and when they receive their litter they may receive bacteria with this waste, which can spread to their skin and then anything that comes into contact with them.

Factors that increase the risk of Salmonella

Factors that increase the risk of salmonella infection include both activities that bring an individual’s contact with salmonella bacteria and problems that generally weaken resistance to infection. These factors include:

Frequent travel around the world: Salmonella infections, including typhoid fever-inducing species, may increase in poor developing countries with health facilities.

Acquisition of birds and pet reptiles: Some pets, especially birds and reptiles, are likely to carry salmonella bacteria.

Stomach and intestinal disorders: The body contains many defenses against Salmonella infection such as strong stomach acid capable of killing many types of Salmonella bacteria, but some health problems or medications may hinder these methods, such as:

Antacids: Low acidity in the stomach allows growing more salmonella bacteria.

Inflammatory bowel disease: This disorder damages the lining of the stomach facilitating the stability of Salmonella bacteria in the intestine.

The use of antibiotics for a short period: This may reduce the number of beneficial bacteria in the gut, thus impairing the body’s ability to resist salmonella infection.

Immune problems: There are some health problems and drugs that potentially increase the risk of Salmonella by weakening the immune system. Examples include:

AIDS.
Sickle cell disease.
Malaria disease.
Anti-rejection drugs taken after transplantation.

Salmonella diagnosis

Salmonella is diagnosed by asking the infected doctor about the symptoms and signs in the infected person such as the number of times of vomiting or diarrhea if present and whether vomiting or stool contains mucus, blood, or a visible yellow substance, Or if the sufferer has a fever, changes in diet, or food preparation habits, in addition to having any communication with pets, Diarrhoea and vomiting are usually a clear indicator of gastroenteritis Blood and stool tests can help determine the causes of salmonella, and determine how to treat.

Salmonella prevention methods

Care should be taken to avoid transmitting bacteria to others. Many precautions can help prevent salmonellosis, and avoid the causes of salmonella. Preventive methods are particularly important when preparing food or providing care to infants, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems. These include:

Avoid eating eggs and raw or undercooked meat.
Avoid the use of unpasteurized milk or dairy products and juice.
Keep the food cooled at a temperature of less than 4 ° C before and after cooking.
Melt the food in the fridge or microwave.
Cook meat and eggs for a safe temperature, and be sure to have a thermometer for food.
Wash hands thoroughly with hot soap and water before dealing with food, and after contact with animals, especially reptiles.
Clean surfaces thoroughly before and after preparing food on them, and it is important to use appropriate recruitment materials.
Separate cooked food from fresh food.