Until the start of the pandemic coronavirus the word zoonosis was unknown to many. Now we are quite clear about what we are talking about when we refer to those infectious diseases that pass from animals to humans, such as the virus itself. SARS-CoV-2or others much more common such as salmonellosis.
The salmonellosis is a food infection caused by bacteria salmonellaa microorganism that lives in the intestines of animals and humans and is excreted in the feces.
According to World Health Organizationbirds and reptiles are the main carriers of this type of bacteria.
And since the heat favors the proliferation of bacteria, it is the summer months when a greater number of cases of salmonellosis appear.
The infection process is triggered when we consume food contaminated by the bacteria, which exceeds the pH of our gastric juices. These microorganisms They manage to reach the intestine and there they reproduce very quickly.
symptoms of salmonellosis
Once salmonella begins to reproduce in our intestines, symptoms will begin to appear between 6 and 72 hours after eating the infected food.
From that moment on, he explains what we can suffer:
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Nausea or vomiting.
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Fever, which can last for 2 or 3 days.
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Diarrhea for 4 to 10 days. In some cases the feces may have a bloody appearance.
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Abdominal pain.
In general it is a mild infection and the symptoms will subside in a week at the most.
How to know when we should go to the doctor
But digestive specialists warn that on some occasions the infection can become complicated and it may be necessary to go to a specialist to assess what is happening.
And that decision would have to be made when we see that
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Symptoms do not subside within a week or so
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the pain is severe
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The patient cannot eat or drink
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The fever rises from 38ºC
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Blood appears in vomit or stool.
General recommendations
During the period of infection the most appropriate treatment will be determined by the doctor, but from the FEAD They give some general recommendations to get through salmonellosis as well as possible:
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Drink plenty of fluids to combat the effects of dehydration that cause diarrhea and vomiting. This is especially important during the summer season, in which the heat contributes to dehydration.
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Eat in small amounts and, of course, no fatty foods.
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Rest so that our body can recover little by little.
In the most severe cases, the healthcare professional may determine the need to treat the patient with .
Some tips to prevent salmonellosis
When we get intoxicated salmonella The most normal thing is that something has failed in handling, conservation or storage.
So we must maximize these aspects in our and in the homeabove all during the summer months.
Some of the recommendations of experts in the digestive system are:
- Extreme hand hygiene. Especially after going to the bathroom, taking out the garbage, changing diapers or if we touch animals.
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Be very careful with the food we eat this summer. Is essential wash the fruit and vegetables well before eating them, especially if we do it raw.
- Cook meat and fish wellin this way we will eliminate the bacteria.
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As for the egg consumptionone of the foods that cause the most salmonellosis, we must cook them until the yolk is set.
Furthermore, it is recommended that all food prepared with eggs be eaten immediately after preparation or within 24 hours.
And know that in summer it is essential to always keep them well refrigerated.
In addition, there are products such as rogue that allow you to make many dishes no need to use egg.
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Although the consumption of unpasteurized milk and dairy products has become fashionable in recent years, they should not be consumed. Pasteurization manages to eliminate a large number of microorganisms contained in raw milk, including salmonella.
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Keep the refrigerator temperature below 4.4ºC
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Freezer below -18ºC.
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Insist on the hygiene of knives and other kitchen utensils after contact with raw food.
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Stay home if we have salmonellosis.