Salmonella infection spreads to humans through raw eggs.

over 1 year ago

An egg is a common source of protein that is readily available for most people to consume, those who cannot afford expensive protein find it easy to purchase eggs easily. An egg is consumed by both the rich and the poor, it is loaded with lots of essential minerals and vitamins, and up to 13 essential vitamins and minerals are packed full in an egg, needed for everyday diet. 60% of the protein in eggs is mostly found in the egg white, and the remaining 40% of protein is in the yolk. An egg is highly nutritious to the extent that, 2 servings of an egg contains, 82% of the vitamin D daily requirement, 50% of the daily folate requirement, 25% of the daily riboflavin requirement, and even 40% of the daily selenium requirement.

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Proteins are essential building blocks of life, needed for valuable protein sources, strength as well as muscle repair. The great advantage of protein in an egg is that it contains around nine essential amino acids, responsible for muscle support, maintenance, and recovery.

Eggs can increase the level of high-density lipoprotein, commonly referred to as, good cholesterol. Vitamin D plays a strong role in phosphorus and calcium absorption, it is essential for the maintenance of teeth and bones, and egg is a good source of vitamin D as well.

Eggs have also been known to help handle weight management process, it does that by helping the body feel fuller and reducing the level of food consumption.
Eggs increase hormonal levels that help you feel satisfied for a very long time.
Boosts metabolic activities.
Maintains high energy levels.
Slowing down the rate at which food leaves the stomach.

Eggs also happen to be a great dietary source of choline. Choline happens to be an important liver nutrient, not a lot of people are able to produce sufficient choline to meet with their daily requirements, so it has to be sourced from food consumed.

Eggs have antioxidants that are beneficial to the eyes, as they are highly rich in antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, they will both play active roles in the reduction of eye diseases which includes, age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.

Eggs also serve as a nutrient boost for healthy aging adults since it is easy to prepare, and it increases the intake of nutrient for older people, this will in turn help to reduce the risk of lots of deficiencies and conditions.

Eggs can likewise support mental health, as the consumption of a balanced diet would go a long way to support the reduction of stress and boost mental health performance.

If eggs have these numerous benefits, why on earth would such a nutrient-filled protein cause any form of infection whatsoever? But yes, eggs can result in Salmonella Infection in humans, however only consuming eggs in their raw form can do this to us, so you can relax and consume your boiled, fried eggs in peace.

Not only the consumption of raw eggs could result in salmonella infections, humans can get the infection by consuming, raw or undercooked meat, raw poultry products and unpasturized milk.You realize that, you possibly have salmonella infection when you show these symptoms; Chills, headaches, stomach cramps, nausea, headaches, blood in stool, vomiting, diarrhea. These symptoms would usually last for a few days or a few weeks, but the diarrhea may last for either just ten days or go on for several months before bowel stool returns back to normal.

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Salmonella bacteria is a bacteria that exists in the intestines of humans, birds and animals, people get infected through the consumption of water and food.

Raw meat: The infection takes place when feces get into raw meat and poultry during the process of butchering, when seafood is harvested from contaminated water, the infection occurs there too.
Raw and undercooked eggs: An egg shell is usually a perfect barrier to contamination, some infected chickens however, produce eggs that contains salmonella even before the egg shell is properly formed, so the consumption of raw eggs puts us at a high risk of infection.
Vegetables and Fruits: Fresh products can be washed with contaminated water, if the water is contaminated with salmonella, then the fruit and vegetable gets containated as well.
Unpasteurized milk: Milk pasteurization process is responsible for the killing of harmful bacteria, includding salmonella, but when milk isn't pasteurized, there is a risk of carrying the bacteria.

There is a higher chance of getting infected with salmonella if you live or have any of these conditions;

If you live with an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the damage caused by the disease will make it more easy to get an infection.
If you work or live around high-risk animals like chickens, turtles, lizards and even ducks.
Children under the age of 5, and adults who are over the age of 65, also stand a chance of having the infection.
If you have sickle cell disease, it puts you at risk of getting osteomyelitis, which is a rare case of salmonella.
There are different food types that would cause salmonella outbreaks, examples are; peanut butter, frozen food, packaged meats etc.

Bacteremia/Sepsis: When salmonella enters into the bloodstream (bacteremia), it begins to infect other tissues and organs in the body, this could lead to inflammation in the joints, bones and even the lining of the brain, heart and heart valves. Bacteremia can result in SEPSIS, which is a life-threatening condition which gives room for your immune system to begin to attack your body.

Salmonella Osteomyelitis: Having a sickle cell disease puts you at a risk of getting a rare salmonella infection, called osteomyelitis, attached with symptoms like; pain at the back and bone, intense pain that makes movement difficult.

Reactive arthritis: There are times, when your immune system will accidentally attack healthy parts of the body when it is trying to fight an illness. Reactive arthritis creates lower back inflammation, as well as joints and eyes inflammations. Reactive arthritis comes with symptoms like;
Rash, mouth sores, lower back pain, frequent urge to urinate, diarrhea, abdominal pain, burning feeling when you urinate.

How the infection spreads.

There is a strong chance of getting infected, when you eat food prepared by people who do not wash their hands after the use of the toilet, after changing diapers or handling a contaminated food.

When you handle a contaminated surface and then you place your finger in your mouth, there is a strong possibility of infection there as well.

Contact with an infected pet or animal especially reptiles and birds, will also increase the spread of the infection. Salmonella bacteria is usually attached to the feathers, furs, skins and feaces of infected animals.

The spread of salmonella, can be limited by following some preventive measures.

Practice high hygenic safety measures while preparing food.
Wash raw fruits and vegetables appropriately before consumption.
Avoid eating raw or undercooked products/food items.
If you are vomiting or you have diarrhea, do not prepare food for others.
Properly refrigerate your food, before cooking and before serving.
Ensure that your kitchen surface is kept very clean, before you place any food item on it.
Cook your meat properly before consumption.
Wash your hands with water and soap before and after touching an animal.
Always seperate raw food from cooked food.
After using the toilet, appropriately wash your hands with soap and water.
If you have diarrhea, consuming lots of water and other fluids will help.

Salmonella can only be confirmed with proper medical diagnosis and test. Stool sample, blood sample and other samples like, urine sample would be taken by the doctor and with appropriate medical evaluation done on the samples taken, there will be a clear result about the presence or absence of salmonella infection.

You have to visit a doctor, the moment you begin to notice;