Causes and Symptoms of Salmonella Infections

Salmonella bacteria causes zoonotic infection. This is indicative of the human to animal to human transfer that results in an epidemic of the infection. This genus of bacteria is also transmitted via food and water. Enteritis Salmonella causes diarrhea and suppresses immunity. The infections result in fatality if not diagnosed and treated in time. Salmonella has the ability to survive for weeks in a non-living habitat. The bacteria perishes at a temperature above 55°C and hence, when treating salmonella infections food and water need to be heated well prior to consumption. The bacteria is named after Veterinary Pathologist, Dr. Daniel Elmer Salmon, who first discovered the bacteria in 1885.

Typhoid

Causes: Typhoid fever or enteric fever is caused when the salmonella enterica serovar typhi bacterium is transmitted via ingestion of contaminated food or water. The bacteria perforates the intestine and alters the structure to reduce immune response.

Symptoms: Fever as high as 104°F, non-bloody diarrhea, excessive sweating, dehydration, rash, headache, cough, delirium and enlarged spleen and liver are the common signs of a typhoid infection.

Diagnosis: Diagnosis of typhoid is done via Widal blood test and bone marrow tests.

Treatment: The prevention of this infection is addressed through the typhoid vaccination. Antibiotics like, such as Amoxicillin, Ciprofloxacin and Oramphenicol are used to treat the fever.

Paratyphoid

Causes: Paratyphoid is caused by salmonella paratyphi strains. This infection too is caused via consumption of contaminated food and water. The difference in term is mainly because this type of typhoid is more benign. The strains of salmonella penetrates the mucosa tissue and multiplies while spreading through the bloodstream.

Symptoms: Paratyphoid manifests in the form of a sustained fever. The rise in body temperature is accompanied by a severe headache, anorexia nervosa, severe pain in the abdomen, cough and hepatosplenomegaly.

Diagnosis: Paratyphoid is diagnosed through blood, stool and urine tests.

Treatment: Antibiotics like Azithromycin, Ciprofloxacin and Ceftriaxone are effective in containing and destroying the bacteria.

Salmonellosis

Causes: Salmonellosis is spread due to impaired immunity caused by salmonella bacteria. The bacteria invade the intestines and other body organs via the blood stream.

Symptoms: The infection is characterized by fever, diarrhea, nausea and severe cramps in the abdomen. On account of the diarrhea, the patient dehydrates.

Diagnosis: Like in the case of other infections caused by salmonella bacteria, in the case of salmonellosis too, blood, urine and stool tests confirm the condition.

Treatment: Vaccination and antibiotics are used to increase immunity and contain the bacteria. Intravenous fluids and medication to relieve symptoms are part of the treatment program.

To prevent the onslaught of this bacteria, personal hygiene plays a very important role. Though the symptoms may come across as not-so-severe, the fact is that rapid deterioration of the immune system sets in with the slightest delay in diagnosis or treatment. The following preventive measures are prescribed to keep salmonella infection at bay:

• Use of a medicated hand-wash prior to cooking or eating.
• Routine cleansing and drying of hands after sexual contact and defecating.
• Inoculation with the Typhoid vaccine.
• Preference of home-cooked food over unclean and exposed foodstuffs outside.
• Drainage of stagnant water from water dispensers and hoses.

The presence of the bacteria all around and within the body and its resistance to freezing and lower than 55^oC temperature make the preventive measures critical to aversion of the infection. It is very important to research and get educated on the characteristics of the bacteria and the threat it poses to life-expectancy.