Q: I recently had a bout of salmonella food poisoning and I do not know where I got it. I do frequently eat out in restaurants. I ended up having to have antibiotics and intravenous fluids, and would like to prevent it ever happening again. What foods should I avoid? Are there any other precautions a person should take in the summer months?
A: I can understand your concern, but I know of a whole clinic full of doctors and nurses who ate a meal at a certain restaurant celebrating someone’s birthday, and most of them came down with salmonella poisoning.
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The culprit was the uncooked cheesecake that was made with the whites of raw eggs. It had also been sitting on a buffet table, not refrigerated for several hours, and had been brought back out for about three days in a row. I believe there were a couple of civil lawsuits directed at the restaurant owners following this incident.
Salmonella is the name for a group of bacteria that includes the one causing typhoid fever. A scientist named Daniel Salmon first discovered them. Typhoid is not common in North America so the most common of that germ family here is known as salmonella enteritidis.
The illness is characterized by acute diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and stomach cramps. These symptoms can last up to seven days, so there is a distinct possibility of becoming dehydrated and deficient in electrolytes. As in your case, intravenous fluids and antibiotics may be necessary. The antibiotics may have to be given intravenously, because the inflamed intestines may not absorb them properly.
Chickens and their eggs are the main culprits. In large chicken farms salmonella can spread rapidly from bird to bird without any obvious signs of disease. As large numbers of these same chickens are later processed in the same packing plant, the infection can be spread still further. However, it is possible for these bacteria to grow in almost any food, so you may not be able to avoid it.
Simple precautions include washing your hands, cutting boards and dishes and knives in hot soapy water before handling food.
Separate raw meat and especially poultry and seafood from other foods in the refrigerator. Make sure food is cooked thoroughly to the proper temperatures and eaten as soon as possible after cooking.
Foods that are not kept hot enough before serving, such as soups and stews in buffets, may be problematic. Leftovers should be refrigerated promptly.
Finally, some animals such as cats may carry salmonella on their coats, so wash your hands frequently and do not kiss your cat.
Help for arthritis
Researchers in Texas recently completed a survey that indicated that most people who suffer from joint pain and stiffness do not go to the doctor for help. They think their symptoms are just normal aging and that nothing can be done.
In fact, there are many treatments available for different types of arthritis, ranging from diet and exercise changes to medications. These therapies can help prevent pain and joint deformity or destruction of cartilage before it occurs, so that surgery for joint replacement may not be necessary.
Clare Rowson is a medical doctor with a practice near Belleville, Ont. Her columns are intended for general information only. Individuals are encouraged to also seek the advice of their own doctor regarding medical questions and treatments.
