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Salmonellosis is an infection caused by Salmonella bacteria. A salmonella infection may cause diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps 12 to 72 hours after exposure. The sickness will last for about a week, and usually no medical treatment is required. Treatment is implicated in cases where diarrhea and vomiting results in dehydration. Elderly patients, children, or adults with impaired immune systems may require treatment with antibiotics to recover from salmonellosis.
Salmonella bacteria live in the intestines of animals (and humans) and leave the body in their feces. Bacterium then passes to other organisms through direct or indirect contact with the feces. Beef, poultry, milk, and even vegetable products can become infected – especially when food handlers do not wash hands with soap and water after using the bathroom. Lizards, snakes, turtles and birds are likely sources of salmonella bacteria. The bacteria can contaminate the skin of these animals and even casual contact, like cuddling or kissing a baby chick can expose an individual to infection.
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