What Is Salmonella?

What is salmonella? Salmonella is a commonly-occurring bacterium that causes severe intestinal diseases, or enteric diseases, more specifically referred to as salmonellosis.

So, we know that salmonella is a bacteria. But what kind of bacteria and where does it come form? The bacteria that causes salmonellosis is commonly found in undercooked or improperly handled poultry products, and can be fatal if not treated properly.

In fact, according to About Salmonella.com quoting the CDC, on average every year salmonella poisoning causes roughly 600 fatalities. Thousands more cases are never diagnosed because of the fact they are usually passed off as stomach flu or something much less severe.

It has been estimated that salmonella bacteria affects over 30,000 people each and every year, making it the second-highest reported incidence of food borne sickness.  This means you need to know what salmonella is and how to protect yourself from it.

Introduction of Salmonella Diagnoses

The first strain of any type of salmonella bacteria was discovered by Daniel E. Salmon’s research assistant, Theobold Smith, in 1885. The original strain was named salmonella cholerae, and since that time the number of different strains of salmonella bacteria has multiplied exponentially, to the sum of over 2,300.

The strain of bacteria that is responsible for typhoid fever outbreaks, salmonella typhi, is highly uncommon within the United States, however there are two strains that have been more commonly diagnosed around the country, salmonella typhimurium and salmonella enteritidis.  

Salmonella Symptoms and Possible Complications

Part of knowing what salmonella is involves being able to recognize if you have it. Depending on the amount of the bacteria that is ingested, a salmonella infection can cause a wide variety of symptoms.

• The most important concern when an individual is diagnosed with a salmonella infection is the dehydration caused by the symptoms of the infection.
• The dehydration factors in because of the vomiting and diarrhea that often plague the infected person within 6 to 72 hours of the bacteria entering the system.
• Not even ordinary water is able to be kept down by someone with a severe case of salmonella, and, as such, the body becomes dehydrated to the point of concern within hours of the onset of symptoms.
• Muscle and joint paint are often suffered by those who are infected as well as fever and intestinal cramping. 

Treatment for Salmonella Infection

When a person is infected by salmonella bacteria, the treatment usually just involves around five to seven days of rest and dilution of the bacteria through the ingestion of distilled water.

However, if the case is severe enough and the infection is allowed to move from the person’s intestines into his or her bloodstream, antibiotics may be required in order to ward off any long-term or severe effects of the infection. Rehydrating the patient may also require the use of fluids being delivered intravenously if the individual is unable to rehydrate through conventional means.

So, now you know what salmonella is, and how to recognize and treat it if it happens to you.