Are You Scared of Salmonella?

You’re probably aware that another outbreak of salmonella has recently hit 43 states. The Centers for Disease Control reported that at least 470 people, with ages ranging from two months to 98 years, have been infected with a strain of salmonella called Typhimurium.

Peanut butter products, including those made by Kellogg’s, the world’s largest cereal maker, have been recalled because of the salmonella outbreak, which has killed at least six people and hospitalized 90 others.

Health authorities have still not determined exactly how the salmonella got into the food.

But what exactly is salmonella and how does it affect your health?

Salmonella food poisoning or salmonellosis is the second most common bacterial foodborne illness. The salmonella bacteria causes diarrhea in humans and lives in the intestinal tract of humans and other animals. You can be infected by the salmonella bacteria if you eat food contaminated with animal feces.

There are a number of ways food gets contaminated with salmonella. The salmonella bacteria in raw meat and poultry will survive if the food is not cooked to a safe minimum internal temperature. Other foods such as fruit and vegetables can get contaminated with salmonella if they come in contact with raw meat and poultry.

Symptoms of Salmonella Poisoning

Salmonellosis is a serious infection and can be fatal to young children, the elderly and those with weak immune systems. If you eat food contaminated with salmonella, you will experience diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and fever within eight to 72 hours of infection.

Salmonella poisoning also frequently causes gastroenteritis and the patient experiences irritations at the gut wall that can develop into loose stools and flu-like symptoms. A small number of infected people can develop a condition called Reiter’s syndrome, which is characterized by joint pain, eye irritation, painful urination and chronic arthritis.

If you get infected with salmonella, you can completely recover from diarrhea but it may take a few weeks before your bowel habits become normal. However, Reiter’s syndrome is more serious and may take months or even years to treat.

Clearly, salmonella is much more than just a bum stomach and is no laughing matter. Though some cases are mild and may even go undetected, the infection can be deadly if it spreads to the bloodstream.

However, there is no need to push the panic button because foodborne illnesses like salmonella are easy to prevent.

How to Avoid Salmonella Poisoning

• Boost your immune system – Did you know that about 80% of your immune system actually lies in your gastrointestinal tract? Enhance your immune system by regularly taking probiotics. Dr. Mercola recommends the New and Improved Complete Probiotics, which is superior to other similar products in almost all aspects. However, a probiotics supplement alone is not enough. Live a healthy lifestyle to increase your body’s protection from illnesses such as salmonella. Exercise. Get enough sleep. Manage your stress levels.

• Wash your hands frequently and properly with warm soapy water for 15-20 seconds before and after handling food and after using the bathroom, changing diapers, handling pets or anytime you get them dirty.

• Separate raw meat, poultry and seafood in your grocery shopping cart and from other foods in your fridge to avoid cross contamination.

• Promptly refrigerate or freeze perishable food and leftovers and set aside the proper amount of time to thaw frozen food.

• Use different cutting boards for meat and fruits and vegetables

• Cook raw poultry and meat in proper temperatures

• Don’t put cooked food in a plate that previously held raw meat, poultry or seafood

• Keep your kitchen clean – Wash utensils, cutting boards, dishes, and countertops with hot soapy water after preparing each food item and before you go to the next item. Try using paper towels to clean kitchen surfaces instead of cloth towels. If you must use cloth for cleaning, wash the towels regularly.

• Thoroughly wash your fruits and vegetables – especially if you can’t get them organic.

• If you get uncooked meat when you dine at a restaurant, send it back to the kitchen

Food is meant to nourish and not to make someone ill. It’s better to be safe than sorry so never take food safety for granted.

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Tags: food safety, salmonella, salmonella bacteria, salmonella poisoning, salmonellosis