About 142 000 Americans are infected annually with a variety of Salmonella bacteria emanating from chicken eggs, and of this number, about 30 die. It is suspected, in these cases, the shell of the chicken egg may be contaminated by an infected hen. In addition to the occurrence in eggs, it can also be generally traced back to a variety of foods, particularly meat.
Potential Sources of infection
The salmonella bacteria can thrive for several months in water, especially where this has been polluted with excrement. The agents of this pollution danger can often be traced back to birds, reptiles, poultry, cattle and sheep.
The Danger to Humans
The organism enters via the human digestive tract, and must be ingested in large numbers to cause disease in a normally healthy adult. Ironically, in this case, the human gastric juices play a protective role, as a sort of gatekeeper, by destroying most of the invading bacteria. However, it must be stressed that infants and young children are much more susceptible to infection by the invading bacteria. Moreover, the scenario around infants is compounded by the possibility that they can be contaminated by salmonella bacteria-laden dust.
In the human system, after a short incubation period, which can vary from a few hours to one day, the germ is known to multiply and cause inflammation of the intestine, which exhibits in the feces as being bloody, and containing pus.
The danger to infants is dehydration and poisoning. Complications can occur with weakened elderly patients. Medical advice and intervention should always be sought if there is ANY doubt whatsoever. Salmonella bacteria can survive for weeks outside a living body, in excrement for a number of years, and is not destroyed by freezing (e.g. in a refrigerator freezing compartment).
Authorities recommend that, to protect against Salmonella infections in general, all food should be heated for at least 10 minutes at 75 Degrees Centigrade (167 degrees Fahrenheit) and to ensure that the center of the food item reaches this temperature.
The Symptoms of a Salmonella Infection
Salmonella bacteria principally cause three broad categories of illness, such as typhoid fever, gastro-enteritis and meningitis. The symptoms can include abdominal cramps, fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, muscle and joint pains. If not treated, the onward progression of a Salmonella infection can cause complications, and this strictly becomes the territory of medical professionals whose advice should always be sought, especially if there is any doubt.
The Prevention of a Salmonella Bacteria Infection.
Finally, Salmonella, the word, is not derived from the name of the Salmon fish but rather from the pathologist Daniel Salmon.
Sources: Material: Wikipedia Images: Stock.xchng
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Thanks Jerry for your comments! Encouragement valued in a sometime lonely writer's world :-)
Very interesting and informative article. Thanks for sharing. Write more!
Thanks for you positive comments and votes - much appreciated!
Very informative.
What is concerning is what is ACTUALLY happening ON THE GROUND right now: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/21/business/21eggs.html?_r=1&th&emc=th - there has also been a recall of some 230 million eggs in the past week or so!
~= Page love. =~
harmful and can be deadly bacteria
Hi Norbert - thanks for your vote and comment. The problem, RIGHT NOW, in the USA is that they have recalled some 230 million eggs, and that is just for starters!
This bacteria haunted everyone around the world. It's good to be aware of it. Thumbs up for your article!
Thanks marinel for your input!
Very informative
Thanks Lucia - you lit up my day :-)
Excellent work here Colin. Unfortunately have no votes left for today. Ill catch you up tomorrow,