There are 2000 known serotypes of Salmonella. The most common route of infection is through ingestion of food from an infected animal or food contaminated by feces of an infected animal or person. High risk foods include raw and undercooked eggs, meat and meat products, poultry, raw milk, and raw milk products. Raw fruits and vegetables that may be contaminated during slicing are also included.
Infection can occur through an open cut, sore or wound into the bloodstream.
Pet turtles, iguanas, other reptiles and baby chicks are sources of infection especially for children. The severity of the infection varies from mild to severe and may require hospitalization to control the infection, or for rehydration with intravenous fluids. 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. How Salmonella Is Diagnosed And Treated Salmonellosis is routinely diagnosed from a stool culture. For uncomplicated Salmonella , no treatment is necessary.