Salmonella Poisoning is No Joke
Though we know the importance of washing our hands and cooking our meat, the risk of salmonella still lurks in our homes. Knowing about the red flags and common symptoms of salmonella can better protect you against this dangerous bacteria—let’s explore how you can avoid it.
1. Wash Your Produce
Some of your favorite fruits and vegetables may be irrigated with contaminated water, so it’s always best to wash produce when you get it. A simple rinse under cold water with a gentle scrub is more than enough.
2. Wash Your Hands Too
It’s never a bad idea to wash your hands. You never know what you’ve touched or who you’ve encountered, so thorough washing ensures you scrub those germs off your skin. It’s even more important when you come in contact with someone already infected with salmonella.
3. Protect Yourself Around Animals
As adorable as animals are, they can be ideal carriers for salmonella. Though it’s not exactly common, your household pets can still carry the bacteria and transfer it to you. However, watching out for wildlife is especially important as salmonella is more common among furry woodland creatures (or zoo animals).
4. Don’t Consume Unpasteurized Dairy
Raw milk consumption was all the craze a while ago, but let us remind you of its dangers. Unpasteurized dairy like milk or cheese can carry all kinds of harmful bacteria, including salmonella. In fact, of all the bacteria outbreaks present in unpasteurized cheese, salmonella topped the charts.
5. Monitor Cross-Contamination
If Gordon Ramsay didn’t scare you away from cross-contamination, nothing will! Keep raw and cooked food separate in the kitchen—wash utensils before you touch cooked food with them, use different cutting boards, and ensure your hands are clean.
6. Avoid That Cookie Dough
We’ll admit it, we’ve indulged in the odd sample of raw cookie dough. Who hasn’t? However, raw eggs are notorious for salmonella. Resist the temptation to reach into that bowl; between the raw eggs and flour, you’re only playing with fire.
7. Thaw Meat Correctly
Cooking practices have come a long way, namely how to thaw meat. You may have run frozen steaks under hot water or abandoned them on kitchen counters, but the best method is simply to pop them in the fridge. Keep frozen meat in a container before you refrigerate to avoid spilled juices.
8. Be Careful in the Water
It’s important to stay vigilant against bacteria—even on vacation. Pools and natural bodies of water become contaminated by anyone infected; once they go for a swim, the whole area can affect others. Avoid the risks by not swallowing any water, taking a quick shower afterward, and properly drying your ears.
9. Thoroughly Cook Your Meat
The last thing you want is to sink your teeth into uncooked meat, especially when salmonella’s on the table. Meat thermometers are your best friend. Invest in a good one to ensure your food reaches the proper internal temperature.
10. Avoid Those Infected
You don’t always know who has what, but keep away from any pets or loved ones you know have salmonella. The bacteria usually flushes out within a week or so, and staying away is a small price to pay for overall health.
That said, you can’t always avoid something so contagious. Let’s look at some common symptoms so you know what’s normal and what’s a bigger cause for concern.
1. Diarrhea
Salmonella symptoms usually start within a few days of exposure, though some people might not experience any for several weeks after initial contact. One of the first signs is diarrhea. It’s a common symptom, but some might experience it worse than others and may need IV drips or antibiotics.
2. Stomach Cramps
Stomach cramps are another classic sign of salmonella. Unfortunately, they’re usually worse than your everyday stomach upset—they can be quite painful as your body scrambles to flush out any bacteria.
3. Fever
As if abdominal pain wasn’t bad enough, sufferers experience fevers as well. Typical fevers aren’t necessarily a cause for concern, but some people could see temperature spikes up to 102°F. High fevers mean it’s time for a doctor.
4. Nausea and Vomiting
It’s not uncommon to experience nausea and vomiting. There’s not much you can do to curb the symptoms except replenish your fluids and take anti-nausea medication. Speak with your physician about which treatment works best for you.
5. Discolored Urine
You’ll spend lots of time in the bathroom as your body tries to purge the bacteria. However, discolored urine is never a good sign. If you notice dark pigments or anything out of the ordinary, schedule an appointment with your doctor.
6. Headache
Don’t be surprised to experience the odd headache. Between fevers and constant stomach upset, your poor head will likely start to throb as well. The good news is that you can always talk to your doctor about which OTC medications are best.
7. Chills
Body chills come with fevers; most people affected by salmonella experience both. Chills aren’t as common a symptom as diarrhea or stomach pain, but you should still keep an eye out for them. If they don’t get better over a week, it’s probably time to call your doctor.
8. Blood in the Stool
Though diarrhea is common among symptoms, speak with your doctor if you have bloody stools. It may be caused by frequency but it could also be a sign of something more serious, so it’s worth talking to someone.
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9. Dehydration
You’re on the toilet, you can’t eat anything, you’re nauseous—of course you’re dehydrated! Any prolonged diarrhea is cause for rehydration. Drink plenty of water or sports drinks to replenish electrolytes. However, severe cases of salmonella cause dehydration and you might need to be placed on an IV or receive antibiotics if symptoms persist.
10. You’re Sick for Longer Than 4-7 Days
Most salmonella cases resolve within a week or so. If any symptoms last longer than four to seven days, contact your physician. You may have a more serious infection that requires stronger medication.
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