Salmonella Poisoning

Salmonella poisoning, or salmonellosis is an infection caused by salmonella bacteria and is the most common type of food poisoning. Symptoms of salmonellosis set in about 12 to 72 hours after a person has come in contact with the bacteria. The infection usually lasts anywhere from 4 to 7 days. It is estimated that 400 deaths a year occur from salmonella poisoning. 3,000 deaths occur in the US annually from all forms of food poisoning- and the annual number of food poisonings of all forms is an estimated 48 million cases (this number may be low as many cases go unreported).

Salmonella bacteria can be ingested (often in meats that have been contaminated with fecal material) in the form of any tainted food that has been handled using poor hygiene measures. Handling reptiles is another way one can contract salmonella. Salmonella bacteria live in the digestive tracts of people or animals that have eaten contaminated food.

Risk factors that increase one’s chance of contracting salmonella poisoning are being older, very young, or having impaired immune function. Anyone can contract the bacteria, some will be able to process the bacteria without being symptomatic. Symptoms of salmonellosis are diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps.

Complications of salmonellosis are dehydration, bacterial infections of other bodily systems, reactive arthritis (which can plague a person for years after the initial bacterial incident), and hemolytic uremic syndrome (which can lead to kidney failure and death).

Food poisoning effects can go far beyond just a few hours or days of making a person sick. Food processors and handlers are given specific guidelines for proper hygiene and food preparation to ensure the health of consumers is maintained. The introduction of bacteria in food processing is almost always avoidable simply by using hygienic practices. If you or a loved one experienced health complications or death due to food poisoning, you may be eligible for damages. Call the Sweeney Law Firm and let us review the facts to see if you have a personal injury case. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means we don’t get paid for representation unless a settlement or recovery of funds is made on your behalf.

To read related articles also in this site, click the links provided: Food Poisoning, Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, Shigella, Staphylococcus aureus, Hospital Acquired Infections