Grace Pyatt & Kelly Smith Period 4 Salmonella Grace Pyatt & Kelly Smith Period 4

Brief Info. And Characteristics Salmonella- Bacterial infection causing inflammation of the lining of the stomach and other intestines. It is a rod- shaped gram-negative enterobacteria that causes typhoid fever, paratyphoid fever and the food borne illness called salmonellosis. It is the name for a large number (25,000) different types of bacteria. A low 40,000 cases are reported each year in the United States.

History Theobald Smith, an American veterinarian first discovered the bacteria that caused salmonella and other infections such as cholera. It was named after the administrator of USDA research program, Elmer Salmon. Theobald Smith!!!

Symptoms Diagnosis Abdominal cramping or pain Abdominal tenderness Chills Diarrhea Stomach feels hot to the touch Fever Nausea Vomitting Soreness/weakness The doctor you see will first check for abnormal pain in the stomach and look for the appearance of tiny pink spots called rose spots. Some tests performed may be stool culture, febrile/cold agglitinins (looks for certain antibodies.)

Treatment The ultimate goal in treating salmonella is to replace lost fluids and electrolytes. This can sometimes be done using antibiotics. Chainging your regular diet to BRAT, which is bananas, rice, apple sauce and toast. This diet will guarantee less pain because it is working to make the stools firmer. For children, ibuprofen works well.

Prevention Proper food handling and storage Wash hands with WARM water and soap When handling a reptile or its feces it is best to wear gloves because it is a semi-rare bacteria that can be transmitted to different species.

Transmission Cattle and the most common-poultry Sometimes but rarely in sheep, pigs, goats,. Ribbits, dogs, seabirds, rodents, porpoises, cats and horses. Bacteria can be carried on the animal for weeks or months and will linger on it for even longer after recovery. Fecal-oral route Stress in animals will spread bacteria more easily.