Salmonellosis

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**Salmonellosis**
*Classifications and external resources*
ICD-10	A02.0
ICD-9	003.0

Salmonellosis is an infection with Salmonella bacteria. Most persons infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 6 to 72 hours after infection. In most cases, the illness usually lasts 3 to 7 days—most affected persons recover without treatment. However, in some persons the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient becomes dangerously dehydrated and must be taken to a hospital. At the hospital, the patients will receive intravenous fluids to treat their dehydration and medications may be given to provide symptomatic relief, like fever reduction. In severe cases, the Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the blood stream, and then to other body sites and can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics. The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness. Some people afflicted with Salmonellosis later experience reactive arthritis, which can have long-lasting, disabling effects.

The type of salmonella usually associated with infections in humans is called Non-Typhoidal Salmonella. It is usually contracted by ingesting raw or undercooked eggs, or from animals such as:

-Chickens and cows, if the meat is prepared incorrectly or becomes infected with the bacteria somehow.

-Infected eggs and milk, as well as egg products, when not prepared, handled, or refrigerated correctly.

-Reptiles such as turtles, lizards, and iguanas, as they can carry the bacteria on their skin.

Another, rarer form of salmonella is called Typhoidal Salmonella. It is carried by humans only and is usually contracted through direct contact with the fecal matter of an infected person. This kind of salmonella infection can lead to typhoid fever. It therefore mainly occurs in developing and undeveloped countries that do not have appropriate systems for handling human waste.

1 Etymology
2 Symptoms
3 References
4 See also

[edit] Etymology

Both Salmonellosis and the Salmonella genus of microorganisms get their name from a modern Latin coining after Daniel E. Salmon (1850–1914), an American veterinary surgeon.

[edit] Symptoms

The bacterium induces responses in the animal that it is infecting and this is probably what causes the symptoms rather than any direct toxin. They are usually gastrointestinal including nausea, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea with mucus. Headache, fatigue and rose spots are also possible. These symptoms can be severe especially in the old and very young. Symptoms last generally up to a week, and can appear 6 to 72 hours after bacterium ingestion.