Salmonella vs E. coli – Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Differences, Prevention

Salmonella

It is an extremely common type of bacteria. There are more than 2,500 strains of this type of bacterium, however, only less than 100 are responsible for human infections.

Some types may also cause typhoid fever, a potentially fatal multisystemic illness. The two most common types in the United States are S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium. Salmonella poisoning (Salmonellosis) affects more than 1.4 million Americans per year and is responsible for about fifty percent of the bacterial infections in the US.

This bacterium usually lives in human and animal intestines and is shed through feces. Also, fruits, green vegetables, and shellfish can become contaminated with this bacterium through contact with sewage in the water or manure in the soil.

Symptoms

The symptoms may start a few hours after an individual swallowed an infectious dose of this bacterium. The time period before symptoms occur is known as the ”incubation period.” In some patients, symptoms don’t show up until 3 days later.

Most people infected with this bacterium develop the following signs and symptoms 12-72 hours after being exposed to the bacteria.  Also, symptoms vary depending on the type of bacterium which has caused the infection. Frequent signs and symptoms include:

  • headaches;
  • nausea;
  • fever;
  • vomiting;
  • muscle pains;
  • abdominal cramps;
  • chills;
  • diarrhea;
  • dizziness;
  • blood in the stool.

Causes

This infection usually occurs from the consumption of eggs (FDA estimates that there are about 80,000 cases of foodborne illness in the United States per year due to eating eggs containing this bacterium), raw meats, contaminated foods, like – unpasteurized milk, vegetables, and fruits.

Moreover, terrapins and tortoises are common carriers of this bacterium. Therefore, contact with these animals (especially their stools) can allow transmission of infection to humans.

Treatment

Most people with salmonella do not need any treatment because the symptoms usually improve in a few days.

However, this infection can cause dehydration, the treatment typically focuses on replacing electrolytes (potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, chloride, and phosphate) and fluids.

Due to the fact that antibiotics do not appear to reduce the duration of symptoms, plus, they may even prolong the period of the convalescent carriage, they are not used.

Prevention

Keep raw poultry and meat separate from other foods when shopping. Also, wash hands after contact with pets, farm animals, animal environments, and animal feces.

Avoid eating high-risk foods, including undercooked ground poultry or beef, lightly cooked or raw eggs, and unpasteurized milk.

E. coli

It is a type of bacteria that usually live in the intestines of animals and people. It can be transmitted by contaminated water and food and person-to-person.

Most strains are actually a part of the beneficial gut flora in the human gut. However, some types can cause illness in humans, including abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and fever.

This bacterium genus is named after Theodor Escherich, a German-Austrian professor and pediatrician, who isolated the type species of the genus.

Symptoms

The incubation period can range from four to 8 days. The symptoms are worse in children and seniors, and particularly in individuals who have another condition. A person who has this type of infection may experience these symptoms:

  • diarrhea;
  • vomiting;
  • belly pain;
  • bad stomach cramps.

Some kinds of Escherichia coli bacteria cause disease when they make a toxin called Shiga toxin. Also, a small number of individuals with this infection may develop a life-threatening condition called hemolytic-uremic syndrome.

Infection with hemolytic-uremic syndrome causes the destruction of red blood cells, that can then cause kidney failure. The risk of a hemolytic-uremic syndrome is highest in children aged under 5 years.

Causes

This infection most commonly happens when someone consumes unpasteurized cheese or milk or undercooked meat.

Other methods of being infected with this bacterium include:

  • swimming in infected water;
  • drinking infected water;
  • eating unwashed vegetables which have come into contact with manure from infected cattle;
  • inadequate hand-washing after using the toilet;
  • contact with other individuals who are infected;
  • having contact with infected animals, like – at children’s petting zoos and on farms.

Treatment

Treatment for this infection commonly involves drinking a lot of water to avoid dehydration and plenty of rest.

Antibiotics are not recommended to treat this infection since they can increase the risk of serious complications. Moreover, avoid taking anti-diarrheal meds because they slow the digestive system down, which actually prevents the body from removing the toxins.

Prevention

Prevention usually consists of avoiding eating or touching any food which may be contaminated with any human or animal waste. Also, eating well-cooked foods, particularly hamburgers as well as drinking pasteurized or treated fluids will also prevent this infection.

Salmonella vs E. coli – Differences

Both these gram-negative bacteria live in the intestines of animals and people.

The symptoms caused by these bacteria usually resolve within a few days, but E. coli typically lasts a bit longer, plus, it can lead to life-threatening complications. Moreover, both do not require antibiotics for treatment.

Image credit – Shutterstock

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References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3834453/
https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-salmonella.html

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