Salmonella
This page provides information and advice on prevention of Salmonella, a bacteria that affects the stomach and intestines.
It is an illness caused by bacteria called Salmonella. There are many different types of Salmonella that cause illness.
The Salmonella bacteria affects the stomach and intestines and can affect anyone but is more common in children under 5 and young adults.
Symptoms
It usually takes 12 - 48 hours after eating food containing the bacteria for symptoms to develop and they may include:-
- diarrhoea (which may contain blood or mucus)
- fever
- stomach cramps
- nausea
- vomiting
- headache.
In mild cases, there are fewer symptoms over a shorter period to time. However the symptoms are often more severe in the elderly and people with other medical conditions.
Illness usually lasts for a few days but Salmonella bacteria may be present in your faeces for several weeks or longer, even once all the symptoms are gone. This is known as being "a carrier".
How does Salmonella spread?
Salmonellosis occurs when Salmonella bacteria are taken in by mouth. It may happen in any of the following ways:-
- food - Salmonella bacteria is naturally found in raw meat and poultry. If it is not thoroughly cooked, the bacteria may survive and infect people who eat it
- cross-contamination - this is the spread of bacteria from something that is contaminated with bacteria to something that is not. Salmonella can spread when uncooked foods contaminated with bacteria cross-contaminate ready to eat foods, through either poor food handling or inadequate storage
- person to person - people with Salmonella have the bacteria in their faeces. If these people do not wash their hands properly after going to the toilet, they can contaminate surfaces and objects with the bacteria which will be touched by other people who could then become infected themselves.
- hands can also become contaminated with bacteria when a person changes the nappy of an infected infant and not wash their hands thoroughly afterwards. People and animals can carry Salmonella in their faeces without having any symptoms.
Prevention
Scrupulous personal hygiene when preparing food, ensuring no cross contamination between cooked and uncooked foods and thoroughly cooking food.
What to do if you have someone ill or infected with food poisoning in the house
If you have vomiting or diarrhoea you must not work in a food-handling environment. Anyone suffering from or carrying Salmonella MUST NOT prepare food for others to eat.
We would recommend that you DO NOT have friends in for meals or to stay with you whilst the infection is present.
Whilst diarrhoea persists, great care should be taken to clean the toilet including taps, door and flush handles after the patient has used it.
- use a household disinfectant or bleach
- use disposable paper tissues for cleaning seat, flushing handle etc
- wash hands thorough afterwards.
Hands should be washed thoroughly with hand soap and hot running water for at least ten seconds, to minimise the risk of cross-contamination.
Cloth towels are not recommended for cleaning or drying as they get dirty quickly and can spread bacteria from one person to another, disposable tissues/towels are recommended.
Can patients with symptoms work or go to school or work?
All people with symptoms should not work or attend school, nursery or childminders until symptom-free.
People who work in food businesses, hospitals or nursery schools must not return to work until 48 hours after all symptoms have ceased.
The manager of the food business should be notified of any illness you or any family member, who is ill, may have.
If people are formally excluded from work, they will normally be required not to return to work until 48 hours after symptoms have ceased.
Please remember that you may still carry the organism for a number of weeks after the symptoms clear and scrupulous personal hygiene must be observed during this time. An anti-bacterial soap will help with thorough cleaning.
Note: There may be types of food poisoning which will require you to remain off work until clearance is given by your Environmental Health Office. You will be advised if this is the case.
For further information, contact the council, or in case of continuing illness, consult your family doctor.
Contact
Email: food.safety@reigate-banstead.gov.uk
Tel: 01737 276417.
Last updated : 15/05/2009
