Salmonellacauses about 1.3 million infections in the United States each year.
It leads to an illness called salmonellosis and is one of the most common types of food poisoning.
This illness can cause fever and vomiting, as well as serious inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract.
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Some strains cause infection in the bones, blood, urine, joints, and the nervous system.
It can also cause severe disease.
Salmonella tends to be diagnosed more often in the summer than in the winter months.
Consuming raw or undercooked food is another way salmonella is spread.
When food is cooked at the recommended safe temperature, salmonella will be destroyed.
If a person eats certain foods that are undercooked, however, they may be at risk.
For some, it is days or weeks, while others can be long-term asymptomatic carriers.
However, nontyphoidal salmonella is rarely spread from person to person.
Can Salmonella Live on Surfaces?
Salmonella can live on surfaces that are not cleaned properly.
In fact, the bacteria are known to live on surfaces for up to four hours.
People can start feeling symptoms from six hours to six days after contamination.
There are more severe cases that can last longer and will needtreatmentin the hospital.
If this happens, hospitalization may be needed for treatment.
This prevents cross-contamination, the unintentional passing of the bacteria to other surfaces.
It is important to take all precautions to avoid getting salmonella poisoning.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Salmonella.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Get the facts about salmonella.
