
We often hear the term salmonella and may associate it with gastrointestinal tract disease. But what is salmonella actually? What are the diseases caused by salmonella bacteria? Read the complete guide below on Salmonella definitions, including where you can find salmonella.
What Is Salmonella?
Salmonella bacteria are a group of bacteria that cause a variety of common infections, such as diarrhea, food poisoning, and typhoid fever. This bacteria can also cause an infectious condition called salmonellosis.
The symptoms of the disease caused by Salmonella bacteria are actually not much different from each other. Fever, nausea and indigestion, have always been a part in it.
The disturbance caused by Salmonella bacteria is generally mild. However, in some cases, the infection can develop into severe, even life-threatening. Therefore, salmonella contamination should be avoided.
Although generally salmonella can cause food poisoning symptoms, one type of Salmonella bacteria is the cause of typhoid fever. Salmonella bacteria attack the stomach and intestines, where this condition causes a person to experience typhoid.
In serious cases, the bacteria can enter the lymphatic tract that carries water and proteins in the blood, and the blood itself. These bacteria can attack all age groups and women as well as men. Children, parents and people who are sick are much more likely to get a serious infection.
What Is Salmonella Found in?
One of the factors that make Salmonella infections common is because these bacteria are easy to find in everyday life. Following, things can be a source of salmonella infections.
Animal meat

Salmonella bacteria found in animal meat can enter the body and cause infections, especially when the meat is not cooked perfectly. Some types of meat are beef, poultry, and pork meat.
In addition to meat, these bacteria are also found in eggs and milk. If the eggs and milk you consume are contaminated with these bacteria, infection may arise.
How to process food
The way you process food can also affect the risk of salmonella bacteria infection. If any part of the chicken or meat is contaminated with this bacterium, which touches on the vegetables and fruits you are preparing, infection may occur.
Do not wash hands after urination
After defecating or changing baby diapers, wash your hands immediately. Because if not, bacteria that exist in the dirt can cause health disorders, such as infections.
Pesticides
You can also be infected with salmonella when the fruits and vegetables you eat are contaminated with this bacteria from the pesticides used. Because, there are several types of pesticides that contain animal impurities in it. The dirt is where the bacteria dwell.
Water
Water used to flush the plants that we consume, such as vegetables and fruit can also be a source of the spread of this bacteria. Therefore, water may be contaminated from animal impurities near the water source.
Pet
Pets such as dogs, cats, birds, and reptiles such as lizards, snakes, or turtles, can also be a source of salmonella bacteria infection. Animals can spread these bacteria through their droppings, which can stick to fur, cages, and their bodies.
Infections can occur when you enter your hands into the mouth without washing your hands before, after playing with a pet.
What Is Salmonella causes and symptoms?
What Is Salmonella causes?
Salmonella infections can usually occur as a result of consuming foodstuffs and water contaminated by Salmonella bacteria. This type of bacteria can contaminate meat, fish, eggs, fruit and vegetables. In addition, some pets such as reptiles and birds can spread salmonella through its droppings.
What Is Salmonella Symptoms
Salmonella bacteria infections are characterized by several symptoms. Salmonella incubates for 12 to 72 hours in the body. During this time span the patient suffers from the following salmonella symptoms:
- Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
- Stomach cramps
- Fever
- Shivering
- Blood in the Dirt
In addition, Salmonella bacteria can also cause more fatal typhoid fever. The disease caused by Salmonella bacteria is rare because only a small proportion of salmonella bacteria can cause it.
Most types of Salmonella infections are mild, cured in four to seven days without requiring serious treatment in addition to resting and multiply fluid intake. In cases of more severe infections can cause excessive diarrhea, abdominal cramps and general health problems. Sufferers with severe infections require hospital care to obtain a lot of fluid and antibiotics.
Read also:
How To Prevent Salmonella