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What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Salmonella Poisoning?
Question: Can a person get salmonella and not have any symptoms? I am attentive to what I eat these days, I am 8 months pregnant. I wondered if I could get something from a chicken and not have any symptoms.
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
It is possible for a person to have asymptomatic salmonella, but we don't really have good data on how often it occurs. Mainly we focus on symptomatic salmonellosis because it can cause dehydration and bacteremia, and these are concerns for the pregnant mom and baby.
Ways to decrease the risk of getting salmonella are:
Handle foods safely when you wash, prepare, cook and store them.
Wash your hands well with soap and water after contact with animals, animal food, bedding, tanks or animal poop.
Wash your hands well with soap and water after using the bathroom.
Watch out for cross contamination between yourself, food and any utensils or supplies you use when preparing or eating food.
If you think there is a high risk for you to have contracted salmonella because you raise chickens (you mentioned chicken), there is a simple test for it by testing a stool sample. So if you have reason to be concerned, then talk with your doctor about doing this stool test.
A study done in Sweden a few years ago on asymptomatic and symptomatic carriers indicated that salmonella shows up in the stool of asymptomatic carriers so this would be a reasonable test to see.
But if you generally practice good hygiene (with washing hands and with food) and after working with animals, then there isn't really much to worry about. That is why it isn't routinely screened for.
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
It is possible for a person to have asymptomatic salmonella, but we don't really have good data on how often it occurs. Mainly we focus on symptomatic salmonellosis because it can cause dehydration and bacteremia, and these are concerns for the pregnant mom and baby.
Ways to decrease the risk of getting salmonella are:
Handle foods safely when you wash, prepare, cook and store them.
Wash your hands well with soap and water after contact with animals, animal food, bedding, tanks or animal poop.
Wash your hands well with soap and water after using the bathroom.
Watch out for cross contamination between yourself, food and any utensils or supplies you use when preparing or eating food.
If you think there is a high risk for you to have contracted salmonella because you raise chickens (you mentioned chicken), there is a simple test for it by testing a stool sample. So if you have reason to be concerned, then talk with your doctor about doing this stool test.
A study done in Sweden a few years ago on asymptomatic and symptomatic carriers indicated that salmonella shows up in the stool of asymptomatic carriers so this would be a reasonable test to see.
But if you generally practice good hygiene (with washing hands and with food) and after working with animals, then there isn't really much to worry about. That is why it isn't routinely screened for.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you. I also did have food poisoning before I conceived and never found out what kind of bacteria it was. I had it a couple of times. I wondered if any harmful bacteria from that time could affect my baby?
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
If it was a "stomach flu" such as goes around in a community (actually called gastroenteritis), in the US, these are viruses.
But if your illness was quite violent, occurring within a few hours of eating contaminated food, then it can be from a toxin that is made by a bacteria (food poisoning) or it can be from bacterial overgrowth itself (food infection). In the US, in most cases these are self limited and there isn't an issue with an asymptomatic carrier state.
Most gastrointestinal illnesses from bacteria or parasites can be identified via stool culture along with a study called "ova and parasites".
Information
Detailed Answer:
If it was a "stomach flu" such as goes around in a community (actually called gastroenteritis), in the US, these are viruses.
But if your illness was quite violent, occurring within a few hours of eating contaminated food, then it can be from a toxin that is made by a bacteria (food poisoning) or it can be from bacterial overgrowth itself (food infection). In the US, in most cases these are self limited and there isn't an issue with an asymptomatic carrier state.
Most gastrointestinal illnesses from bacteria or parasites can be identified via stool culture along with a study called "ova and parasites".
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you, I know for a fact that this was food poisoning. I also know the cause can be determined from stool. I did not have the energy to go to a doctor to do this. All I am concerned about is whether any carry-over bacteria from that time period could theoretically affect my unborn baby. Again, the food poisoning was before conception. Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
I think it is very unlikely. The toxins themselves are not carried in an asymptomatic state.
Information
Detailed Answer:
I think it is very unlikely. The toxins themselves are not carried in an asymptomatic state.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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