Salmonellosis is a food-borne infection caused by the bacteria Salmonella. Symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, fever and abdominal cramps that last for several days. Occasionally a pregnant woman passes the infection to her baby. After birth, the infant may develop diarrhea, fever and, less often, meningitis. Meningitis is an infection of the membranes surrounding the brain.
Foods that can become contaminated with Salmonella include raw vegetable sprouts and undercooked meats, poutry and eggs.
What you can do:
You can help prevent Salmonella infection by:
- Cooking all meats and poultry thoroughly
- Avoiding fresh unpasteurized juices made from fruits and vegetables
- Avoiding undercooked eggs
- Avoiding raw vegetable sprouts, such as alfalfa, clover, radish and mung bean
May 2006
