Once it has been identified, further testing can determine its specific type and which antibiotics can be used to treat it. The most common types of salmonella are typhimurium and enteriditis; they have been causing illness for more than 100 years. A new strain of typhimurium, DT104, is resistant to seven different antibiotics that normally would kill any salmonella strain, making treatment options more limited.

Where is Salmonella found?

Salmonella are bacteria that cause an infection of the gastrointestinal system in humans. The bacteria can be found in water, soil, kitchen surfaces, animal feces, raw meats, poultry, and eggs. The disease is usually limited to the stomach and intestines, but the salmonella organisms can spread to other parts of the body, such as blood or bone. Salmonella can cause typhoid fever; the symptoms include fever, abdominal pain, headache, malaise, lethargy, skin rash, constipation, and change in mental state.

Salmonella is usually transmitted to humans by foods contaminated with animal feces. Contaminated foods do not usually look or smell unusual. Food may also become contaminated by an infected food handler who neglected to wash his hands after using the bathroom. Salmonella can also be found in the feces of some pets, particularly reptiles. Even healthy reptiles (especially turtles) are not appropriate pets for small children and should not be in the same house as an infant for this reason.

Like other reptiles, iguanas are carriers of the bacterium salmonella marina. People who keep these animals as pets have a higher risk of contracting salmonellosis. It is estimated that iguanas are responsible for up to 80,000 cases of salmonellosis annually. The infection is transmitted from the thin coating on their skin that contains salmonella-contaminated reptile feces. When the reptiles are handled, the bacteria are transmitted to hands.

How can I prevent Salmonellosis?

Since salmonella appears most often in animal foods, raw or undercooked eggs, poultry, or meat should not be eaten. Cooking kills the salmonella bacteria, but some foods may contain unrecognized raw food products and should be avoided. Caesar and other salad dressings, the Italian dessert tiramisu, homemade ice cream, chocolate mousse, cookie dough, and frostings are all items that can contain raw eggs. Poultry and meat should be well cooked, until they are no longer pink in the center. Unpasteurized milk and juices can also be contaminated with salmonella.

Egg-associated salmonellosis is a health problem in North America since the bacteria can live inside normal-looking eggs. If the eggs are eaten when raw or undercooked, the bacteria can cause illness. This form of the infection involves the ovaries of otherwise healthy hens and contaminates the eggs before the shells are formed. Strict procedures for cleaning and inspecting eggs were implemented in the 1970s; this has made infection from contamination of the outside of the eggshell much less common. Salmonella, however, can affect intact and disinfected grade A eggs and still presents a danger when raw or undercooked eggs are consumed. This means sunny-side-up or poached eggs with a soft center pose a risk of salmonellosis.
Cross-contamination is another means of spreading salmonella. Uncooked meats should be kept separate from cooked and ready-to-eat foods. Hands, cutting boards, counters, and knives should be washed thoroughly after handling uncooked foods.

How long before symptoms are evident?

Symptoms of salmonellosis usually appear within 6 to 48 hours after swallowing the bacteria, but are usually obvious within 24 hours. As few as 15 to 20 salmonella germs can cause an infection, but not everyone who ingests the bacteria will become ill. Many factors contribute to whether someone will be affected by ingestion of salmonella, including age, general health, and immune system status.

Children are the most likely candidates to become ill from salmonella ingestion; particular care should be taken with infants.
Other people at risk for more serious complications are those with compromised immune systems (such as people with HIV) and people who take cancer drugs, antacids, or stomach acid suppression medication. In these higher-risk groups, salmonella may invade beyond the gastrointestinal tract to cause bacteremia (or bacteria in the bloodstream). From there, the bacteria can spread to deeper internal tissues of the body causing more severe symptoms.

How long does it last?

Acute symptoms may last 1 or 2 days or may be prolonged; salmonellosis usually resolves itself in 5 to 7 days.
How contagious is it?
Since the source of salmonella contamination is often in fecal matter, good sanitary habits are essential. A person who has ingested the bacteria can transmit the infection to family members via contact and personal utensils. Family members should use good hand-washing habits at all times, particularly after using the toilet and while preparing food.

Care should be taken with family pets - especially reptiles - to avoid contact with their feces. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling an animal and ensure that no reptiles are permitted to come into contact with an infant.

Professional Treatment:

If the infection is not acute and your child has a healthy immune system, most health professionals will allow the salmonellosis to resolve itself. No antibiotics should be taken unless your child is in a high-risk group and unable to fight off the infection. Infants would also fall in this category because their immune systems are not yet fully developed.

Home Treatment:

If your child has a fever, give him/her acetaminophen to reduce temperature and relieve cramping. As with any infection that causes diarrhea, dehydration may occur. Special care should be taken to ensure that he or she is well hydrated.