what is salmonella?

Answer 1

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What is salmonellosis?

Salmonellosis is an infection with a bacteria called Salmonella. Most persons infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most persons recover without treatment. However, in some persons the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. In these patients, the Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the blood stream, and then to other body sites and can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics. The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness.

Answer 2

Salmonella is a Gram Negatvie Enterobacteriaceae. It is motile, is positive for Hydrogen Sulfide and a lactose fermenter, thus producing dark green colonies with little black dots on Hektoen Enteric agar, the dark green means its fermenting the lactose, the black dot is the hydrogen sulfide. On MacCokney's agar it will be dark pink.
In particular, Salmomella typhi is normal flora in the intestines of chickens, so one must make sure to thoroughly clean the chicken and cook it til the juices run clear. Salmonella is heat labile, so if it's thoroughly cooked, you will be ok.

Answer 3

Salmonella is a bacteria (germ) that is very poisonous to humans. It grows on raw meat left at room temperature, especially chicken. It continues to grow for hours on dishes and hands that have touched the meat. If you work with raw meat and/or chicken, wash your hands and any dishes you use with hot water and germ-killing soap.