Salmonella is a serious infectious disease;

It can cause life-threatening food poisoning.

Raw and contaminated foods are ideal environments for salmonella bacteria to thrive.

Therefore, nutrition experts advise that hygiene and health requirements be observed when preparing food to avoid infection with this dangerous infection.

contaminated food

The German Federal Center for Nutrition explained that salmonella bacteria usually reach humans by eating contaminated foods, noting that salmonella is transmitted in particular through eggs that have not been exposed to sufficient heat, and foods containing raw eggs, such as mayonnaise, for example, It carries a risk of infection with salmonella bacteria.

Salmonella bacteria are often found in raw meat and meat products that have not been heated enough or have never been exposed to heat, and seafood and fish also contain this bacteria.

mouth and stool

In addition, salmonella infection may be transmitted from one person to another through the mouth and feces;

For example, it can be transmitted through the handle of the toilet door when the infected person grabs it after leaving the toilet without washing his hands, then the healthy person grabs it without knowing that it is contaminated and then eats his food, so the bacteria are transmitted to his digestive system.

The summer season is a season for salmonella infection because high temperatures contribute significantly to the proliferation of salmonella bacteria.

Since foods are not subjected to sufficient refrigeration during this season;

Salmonella bacteria can grow inside them to the point where large amounts of pathogens can quickly get into food.

Categories more susceptible to salmonella

When eating foods contaminated with salmonella bacteria, the possibility of poisoning at this time depends on the amount of pathogens present in the food, as well as on the preparedness of each person for infection.

Children, the elderly, pregnant women, people with weakened immune systems or people with chronic diseases are the most at risk of infection with this bacteria, even if the causes of infection within foods are reduced.

The infection with salmonella bacteria in these people usually takes a severe pathological course.


Symptoms of salmonella

Symptoms of salmonella poisoning usually appear about 12 to 48 hours after eating contaminated food, with bouts of diarrhea, abdominal cramps, or a high temperature, and sometimes in the form of a headache.

In rare cases, the causes of infection can spread to another organ, leading to complications such as inflammation of the heart valves or meningitis.

Therefore, anyone who suspects that he has salmonella poisoning should consult a doctor immediately.


Prevention

Washing hands is the best way to prevent salmonella infection, after using the toilet and after touching things that are likely to be contaminated with bacteria, such as baby diapers, and hands should also be washed before preparing foods and before eating and after touching all raw animal products.

In addition, poultry, eggs or any other foods that can transmit salmonella bacteria must be heated well during preparation, and this means that the heat reaches the foods from the inside to at least 70 degrees Celsius.