The CDC is asking people to monitor themselves for salmonella after people in multiple states have been infected.
Salmonella is responsible for infect around 1.3 million people per year, and on average 420 people will die from it. But how do you tell if it’s salmonella or a stomach bug?
Not only is the stomach bug a possibility, but there are other foodborne illnesses like salmonella. These include norovirus, campylobacter, vibrio, staphylococcus, listeria, E. Coli and clostridium botulinum. Listeria, E. Coli and clostridium botulinum can cause illness far more severe than salmonella.
Though there are 1.3 million cases of reported salmonella every year, it’s estimated that over 48 million Americans suffer from some form of food poisoning annually.
Common symptoms of foodborne illness includes cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever and diarrhea, while others are much more severe and require medical attention.
Certain populations can contract certain illnesses easier, like pregnant women and listeria.
For salmonella, symptoms will likely appear within six hours and six days from the ingestion of the germ. Diarrhea, fever, vomiting and cramps will commonly occur. People are urged to seek medical care if they see blood in their stool, diarrhea happens for three or more days, if they have a fever over 102 degrees, or if they’re vomiting and unable to ingest liquids resulting in dehydration.
Salmonella is commonly found in undercooked eggs, turkey, chicken, and unpasteurized milk or juice, or raw produce.
People can also give if to themselves if they’ve handled chickens, reptiles or rodents and not washed their hands properly. Untreated illness that requires treatment could result in arthritis, brain or nerve damage, kidney failure, or even death.
Most individuals recover on their own. Antibiotics may be used for those that really need it and are at risk for severe illness.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].