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Salmonella: Another Potential Resistive Bacterial Nightmare Like MRSA?
By Larry Seitz | June 22, 2008
Do we really comprehend the continuous warfare that our bodies wage against bacterial anarchy every minute that we breath? It is a miracle that we can stay alive considering the condition of struggle that our immune systems and disease fighting lines of defense combat on a daily basis.
We can acknowledge the absolute miracle when a healthy child is born. Yet, the miraculous feat when our bodies fight the invasion of bacterial goons waiting for the right time to destroy us is taken for granted. The Salmonella bacteria with its numerous forms are found in the bowels of mammals, turtles, iguanas, other reptiles, and even pet rodents. One strain of Salmonella is responsible for typhoid fever.
The irony of this bacterium, like MRSA and Escherichia Coli is actually bizarre. These marauding invaders, when otherwise under control, are found in specific bodily organs effectively helping us perform certain bodily functions.
Examples of salmonella food related illnesses are associated with undercooked poultry, milk, meat, raw eggs, and food cooked or frozen but not consumed in a timely fashion. Produce and fruit can also contain the bacteria as evidenced by the question of contamination with tomatoes. We have already experienced affected spinach two years ago.
Salmonella like MRSA or Escherichia Coli can easily be passed by fecal contamination. You would have thought that the basic hand washing would have been a no brainer. However, if the organism is available in a non-washing area, such as a field where the produce grows, the chances for contamination are magnified.
So, what then are humans to do? Actually, nothing more than what we have been told repeatedly. The first line of defense is washing our hands and especially those foods that are fresh from unknown sources. Recommendations are also to cook the food at 145 degrees for 15 seconds, which will kill the Salmonella. It is certainly an insignificant inconvenience considering the potential for bodily harm.
Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems. Healthy people hit with the pathogen often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
The SunPower Kidz™ profess that eating or drinking healthy things is taking the responsibility to be vigilant and sharing that knowledge.
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