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According to an article
in the Bismarck Tribune, the North Dakota Department of Health is
investigating a Salmonella outbreak among McLean County residents. The apparent
outbreak occurred last week, and sickened members of two groups who ate foods
catered by the same unlicensed caterer. Nine people were hospitalized,
and approximately 40 people became ill after attending the two events - a
family reunion in Wilton and a wedding in Washburn. include diarrhea, abdominal
cramps, fever, nausea, and/or vomiting. In mild cases diarrhea may be
non-bloody, occur several times per day, and not be very voluminous; in
severe cases it may be frequent, bloody and/or mucoid, and of high volume. Fever generally occurs in
the 100°F to 102°F (38°C to 39°C) range. Vomiting is less common than
diarrhea. Headaches, myalgias (muscle pain), and arthralgias (joint pain) are
often reported as well. Whereas the diarrhea typically lasts 24 to 72 hours,
patients often report fatigue and other nonspecific symptoms lasting 7 days
or longer. Salmonella infections
usually resolve in five to seven days, and many times require no treatment
unless the patient becomes severely dehydrated or the infection spreads from
the intestines. Persons with severe diarrhea may require re-hydration, often
with intravenous fluids. Treatment with antibiotics
is not usually necessary; however, if the infection spreads from the
intestines, or otherwise persists, the infection can be treated with
ampicillin, gentamicin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, ceftriaxone,
amoxicillin, or ciprofloxacin. The length of treatment varies depending on
the extent of a patient’s illness, and can range from 14 days for enteric
fever to six weeks for bactremia (Mayo Clinic, 2007, April 12). Some
Salmonella bacteria have become antibiotic-resistant. Consult your healthcare
provider if you believe you have become ill with salmonellosis. |
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