Encyclopedia of Health and Medicine

S
salmonellosis An illness resulting from INFECTION
with any of the numerous strains of Salmonella
BACTERIA. Salmonella are common in the feces of
birds and animals. Salmonellosis is most often a
foodborne illness acquired through eating raw
eggs, unpasteurized dairy products, and undercooked
poultry. Reptiles kept as pets, such as turtles
and iguanas, also carry Salmonella. Once
salmonellosis develops, the infected person can
spread it to other people.
The INCUBATION PERIOD (time between exposure
and illness) is often less than 12 hours. The most
common symptom of salmonellosis is DIARRHEA,
which may be bloody or profuse. Other symptoms
include abdominal discomfort, NAUSEA, VOMITING,
and FEVER. The course of illness is self-limiting and
runs four to seven days in otherwise healthy people.
In people who are IMMUNOCOMPROMISED salmonellosis
may occur as an OPPORTUNISTIC INFECTION
that causes significant illness. Because salmonellosis
is self-limiting, doctors do not usually prescribe
ANTIBIOTIC MEDICATIONS to treat it even
though the cause is bacterial. Researchers have
discovered that the Salmonella bacteria remain
longer in the bodies of people who receive antibiotics
for salmonellosis, extending the possibility of
spreading the infection to other people.
The most effective approach is prevention
through proper food handling and diligent PER-
SONAL HYGIENE. Thorough cooking kills Salmonella.
FOOD SAFETY procedures include
• washing the hands with soap and warm water
before and after handling food
• thoroughly rinsing fresh fruits and vegetables
in running water before eating or preparing
them for meals
• using separate food preparation surfaces, such
as cutting boards, and utensils for poultry and
meats
• thoroughly cooking eggs, poultry, and other
animal-based foods
See also FOODBORNE ILLNESSES; WATERBORNE ILL-
NESSES.
scarlet fever An illness resulting from INFECTION
with group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal BACTE-
RIA that occurs as a complication of STREP THROAT.
Scarlet FEVER begins with the same symptoms as
strep THROAT—sudden onset of fever and often
severe throat PAIN. Within two days a RASH erupts,
starting on the chest and back and spreading to
cover the entire body. The key characteristic of the
rash is that it feels like sandpaper to the touch.
Other symptoms of scarlet fever include
• bright red, inflamed (“strawberry”) tongue
• bright red color to the natural creases in the
SKIN (under the arms and in the groin)
• HEADACHE
• peeling of the skin on the fingertips, on the tips
of the toes, and in the creases of the groin
Scarlet fever, like strep throat, is contagious and
spreads among people through airborne transmission
or direct contact with saliva (such as through
shared food or eating utensils). The diagnostic
path includes culture of the throat to detect the
presence of group A strep bacteria, though the
symptoms are so characteristic the doctor can usually
make the diagnosis on the basis of their presence
(clinical diagnosis).
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