Anyone who is on drug therapy which alters or suppresses the immune function including steroids, chemotherapy and biological response modifiers. Anyone diagnosed with cancer or receiving radiation treatment. Women who are pregnant or nursing to avoid risk to the baby. Elderly, frail or people with poor nutritional status. Most cases of reptile-associated salmonellosis are in kids under 12.
Adults have a higher resistance to infection.
Reptiles are easily infected through contact with other reptiles. The ranching operations for captive born and holding pens for wild caught reptiles are conducive to cross-infection. Though Salmonella is found in reptiles that are apparently in good health, stress and poor nutrition may result in a situation where large numbers of Salmonella are present in the animal's digestive tract. The reptile's general health may decline. It will stop eating, have watery stools and become lethargic.