Salmonella is a type of food borne disease that results in severe cramps in the abdomen, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and fever. The disease can be mild or severe. It can result in dehydration, which can be fatal in seniors and young children. Also, the incidences of salmonella tend to increase in summer. Hence, knowing how salmonella can be prevented is extremely important.

Some of the ways to prevent salmonella are as follows:

Salmonella bacterium tends to be present in eggs, meats and poultry. Hence, cooking these foods thoroughly is a must to kill the bacterium. Freezing is not an effective way to destroy the bacterium, as it just causes the salmonella bacterium to become dormant. Ensure that foods are cooked to 160 degrees Fahrenheit or more before being consumed.

Many people are found of consuming mayonnaise in salads and sandwiches. Mayonnaise and several other dishes, such as hollandaise sauce and eggnog, use raw eggs, which are one of the most likely sources of salmonella infection. It is imperative that such dishes that make use of raw eggs are avoided to prevent getting salmonella.

Raw milk is also a potential source of salmonella infection. Hence, it should not be consumed. Instead drink pasteurized milk which has been treated with heat to kill potential disease-causing pathogens.

When visiting restaurants, make sure that meats, eggs or poultry dishes are well cooked. If you happen to notice a dish that is undercooked, make sure that you return it instead of consuming it. This type of dish is a potential source of salmonella infection.

If handling meats, eggs and poultry in the kitchen, make sure that you wash your hands with soap and water before touching any other food. Also, clean the cooking surfaces and utensils with water and soap right after cooking these food items. This will prevent spread of salmonella bacterium from your fingers to your mouth or to other food items.

After going to the toilet, make sure that you wash your hands with soap and water. Children in particular usually neglect this. Hence, it is important to supervise their bathroom habits. Teach children to be hygienic and this will go a long way in not only preventing salmonella, but several other diseases.

Certain household pets are carriers of salmonella bacterium, and this is one fact many people are unaware of. After handling pets, such as amphibians, birds and reptiles, it is a must to wash hands with water and soap. Also, when handling feces of pets, take precautions, like wearing gloves, and then make sure that you wash your hands with soap and water.

All these measures will prevent the salmonella as well as several other diseases. While salmonella is not a life-threatening disorder, if not treated, it can result in several complications. Typhoid fever is a result of salmonella typhi bacterium and its symptoms include headache, cough, constipation, sore throat and characteristic rash on the chest. It can also cause enlargement of the spleen and liver.

Bacteremia is another complication of salmonella. In this condition, the tissues around the spinal cord and brain get infection along with infection of the blood. It can be serious and life-threatening condition to get.

Another complication though rare, can occur due to salmonella infection. This is Reiter's syndrome that causes reactive arthritis, UTI and irritation of the eyes. With the reactive arthritis, the joints get affected and can be extremely debilitating. Usually, this syndrome manifests itself 1 to 3 weeks after a person gets salmonella.

As the complications of salmonella can be quite serious and debilitating, it is in a person's best interests to take steps to prevent salmonella. It is better to take a few precautionary measures than to regret it later.

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