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Prevention
By Mayo Clinic staffSalmonella infection is contagious, so take precautions to avoid spreading bacteria to others. Preventive methods are especially important when preparing food or providing care for infants, older adults and people with compromised immune systems.
Wash your hands
Washing your hands thoroughly can help prevent the transfer of salmonella bacteria to your mouth or to any food you're preparing. Wash your hands after you:
- Use the toilet
- Change a diaper
- Handle raw meat or poultry
- Clean up pet feces
- Touch reptiles or birds
Keep things separate
- Store raw meat, poultry and seafood away from other foods in your refrigerator
- If possible, have two cutting boards in your kitchen - one for raw meat and the other for fruits and vegetables
- Never place cooked food on an unwashed plate that previously held raw meat
Avoid eating raw eggs
Cookie dough, homemade ice cream and eggnog all contain raw eggs. If you must consume raw eggs, ensure that they have been pasteurized.
- Fact sheet: Salmonella questions and answers. Food Safety and Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture. http://www.fsis.usda.gov/factsheets/salmonella_questions_&_answers/index.asp. Accessed Jan. 28, 2009.
- Kaye KS, et al. Salmonella infections (including typhoid fever). In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/118188376-3/797294893/1492/1157.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50334-7_14301. Accessed Jan. 28, 2009.
- Salmonellosis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/dfbmd/disease_listing/salmonellosis_gi.html. Accessed Jan. 28, 2009.
- Salmonella enteritidis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/salment_g.htm. Accessed Jan. 28, 2009.
- Managing acute gastroenteritis among children: Oral rehydration, maintenance and nutritional therapy. Atlanta, Ga. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.guideline.gov/summary/summary.aspx?doc_id=4362&nbr=003287&string=dehydration. Accessed Jan. 26, 2009.
