About Salmonella

What is Salmonella?

Salmonella are a group of bacteria that can cause an infection in humans, known as salmonellosis. One of the most common foodborne illnesses, it can occur when food contaminated by Salmonella is consumed. There are multiple serotypes of Salmonella that can cause illness in humans.

According to the U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) there are an estimated 1.2 million cases of Salmonella infection in the U.S. each year, with approximately 400 of those cases resulting in death.* The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to suffer severe illness or complications.

What are the symptoms of Salmonella food poisoning?

Symptoms of Salmonella food poisoning may include diarrhea (sometimes bloody), abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, and joint pain. Symptoms usually appear within 6 to 72 hours after eating a Salmonella contaminated food.

How is Salmonella diagnosed?

If you suspect that you have contracted Salmonella, or are experiencing food poisoning symptoms, contact your healthcare professional. He or she can order a stool culture to confirm Salmonella infection. A blood or tissue sample may be required if doctors suspect that the infection has entered the blood stream. Also, let your doctor know if you consumed a product or meal that has been linked to food recall or Salmonella outbreak.

Are there complications related to Salmonella food poisoning?

Always discuss your health related questions and concerns with your healthcare provider. Most people recover within 4-7 days; however, severe diarrhea and/or vomiting may lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance requiring rehydration with intravenous fluids. In the most severe cases, the bacteria may spread from the intestines to the blood stream (septicemia) and other body sites. This can result in death, unless the person receives immediate antibiotic therapy. The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to suffer the severe effects of salmonellosis.

Reactive Arthritis and Reiter’s Syndrome – In a small percentage of patients, a condition known as reactive arthritis may develop. Reactive arthritis is characterized by joint pain, eye irritation (conjunctivitis), and/or painful urination. Reactive arthritis symptoms may appear from 1-4 weeks following infection. The patient may not develop all of the symptoms, or experience the various symptoms at the same time. While most joints can be affected, pain and inflammation are most commonly experienced in the feet, ankles, and knees. Pain and inflammation in the wrists, fingers, toes, heel, and spinal vertebrae may be experienced. Reactive arthritis patients may also experience tendonitis. Reiter’s Syndrome often refers to a reactive arthritis in which the patient experiences all three symptoms including joint, eye, and urinary pain.

Although most commonly caused by Salmonella, reactive arthritis is also associated with gastroenteritis caused by other bacteria such as Campylobacter, Shigella, and Yersinia. Most people with reactive arthritis will recover within a year; however, this syndrome can lead to chronic arthritis.

How is Salmonella spread?

Salmonella live in the intestinal tracts of humans and other animals, including birds, lizards, and turtles. The infection is usually transmitted to humans by eating foods or beverages contaminated with animal feces. The unwashed hands of an infected food handler may also contaminate food with Salmonella.

Salmonella food poisoning can also occur as a result of cross-contamination. For example, juices from raw meat or poultry left behind on a cutting board can contaminate fruit or vegetables if the board is not properly washed before their preparation.

What foods are associated with Salmonella food poisoning?

A wide variety of foods have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella including beef, poultry, fish, milk, eggs, fruits, vegetables, nuts, peanuts, and spices. For example, recent multistate Salmonella food poisoning outbreaks have been linked chicken, beef, sprouts, cantaloupes, tomatoes, peanut butter, spices, sushi, and eggs, or by contact with infected animals and contaminated pet foods. Please see CDC Food Handling for food safety recommendations.

Can I catch Salmonella from pets or other animals?

Pets, and contaminated dry pet foods or pet treats can also serve as a source of human Salmonella infection. Pets may appear healthy but can carry the bacteria and pass it on to their human owners. Small pets including baby chicks, turtles, lizards, and hedgehogs have all been linked to large multistate Salmonella outbreaks in the U.S. The CDC sponsored web pages Tips for Keeping People and Pets Healthy and Safe from Salmonella and Healthy Pets Healthy People provide valuable information for keeping your loved ones and safe. 

Salmonella contaminated pet foods have also been the source of large multistate salmonellosis outbreaks. Hand washing after handling pets, pet food, or cleaning up after pets can help prevent Salmonella infection.

Where can I find information regarding Salmonella food poisoning lawsuits?

If you or a loved one is diagnosed with Salmonella food poisoning, are awaiting medical confirmation of infection, or have a question regarding your legal rights, you can request a free legal case evaluation by submitting the easy-to-use Free Legal Case Evaluation Form found on this page, or call us toll free at 877-934-6274. Our phones are answered 24/7.

*Foodborne Illness Acquired in the United States-Major Pathogens: Scallan, E.; Hoekstra, R.M.; Angulo, F.M.; Tauxe, R.V.; Widdowson, M-A; Roy, S.L.; Jones, J.L.; Griffin, P.M.: Emerging Infectious Diseases,. Vol 17, No. 1, January 2011.