Salmonella Infection and Animals
My-Dog.info > Dog Diseases, Bites, Worms & Ticks
Important Tip: Protect yourself against
getting Slamonella from animals. Simply wash your hands with
running water and soap after any contact with animal feces
(stool).
What is salmonellosis?
Salmonellosis (sal-mohn-el-OH-sis) is a bacterial disease
caused by the bacterium Salmonella. Many different kinds of
Salmonella can make people sick. Most people have diarrhea,
fever, and stomach pain that start 1 to 3 days after they get
infected. These symptoms usually go away after 1 week. Sometimes,
people have to see a doctor or go to the hospital because the
diarrhea is severe or the infection has affected other organs.
Can animals transmit salmonellosis to me?
Yes, many kinds of animals can pass salmonellosis to people.
Usually, people get salmonellosis by eating contaminated food,
such as chicken or eggs. However, animals can carry Salmonella
and pass it in their feces (stool). Therefore, people can also
get salmonellosis if they do not wash thier hands after touching
the feces of animals. Reptiles (lizards, snakes, and turtles),
baby chicks, and ducklings are especially likely to pass
salmonellosis to people. Dogs, cats, birds (including pet birds),
horses, and farm animals can also pass Salmonella in their feces.
Some people are more likely than others to get salmonellosis.
A person's age and health status may affect his or her immune
system, increasing the chances of getting sick. People who are
more likely to get salmonellosis include infants, children
younger than 5 years old, organ transplant patients, people with
HIV/AIDS, and people receiving treatment for cancer. Special
advice is available for people who are at greater risk than
others of getting this disease from animals.
How can I protect myself from salmonellosis?
- After contact with animal feces (stool), wash your hands
with soap and running water.
- Wash your hands with soap and running water after
touching reptiles or any objects and surfaces that a
reptile has also touched.
- If you have a compromised immune system, avoid contact
with reptiles, baby chicks, and ducklings.
- If you have a compromised immune system, be extra
cautious when visiting farms and contacting farm animals,
including animals at petting zoos.
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