Recently, Utah as well as the rest of the U.S. has seen an increase in Salmonella infection as the result of increased ownerships of exotic animal species such as reptiles. The period of time a person may spread the infection can be several days to months. People who are given antibiotics may carry the bacteria for a longer time than others. Most infected people may return when diarrhea stops if they carefully wash their hands after using the toilet. Food handlers should not handle food until they have submitted two negative stool cultures.
Most people recover on their own.
However, small children, the elderly, and others with severe diarrhea should see a doctor. Salmonellosis is diagnosed by laboratory examination of a stool sample. The laboratory work usually takes several days to complete and will indicate the type of Salmonella bacteria present. Always cook meats completely. Never eat raw meat.