Anyone had Salmonella?

[y4m]

I've been sick for over a week and finally went to the ER on Thursday for fluids and to figure out what was going on. The cultures came back positive for salmonella.

Just wondering if anyone else has had it... How long did it take you to recover/get back to normal? Did you have an irrational desire to throw out all the food in your refrigerator? Did you ever find out the specific cause?

I'm supposed to fly to CA for a baby shower this weekend--as long as I'm vigilant about washing my hands, I'm not putting anyone else at risk, right?

[EmilieMadison]

I truly dont know how long you'll be contagious, so you really need to talk to the Dr about it. Even if you're washing your hands vigilantly, I'd be PISSED as an expectant mother if you showed up at my baby shower and potentially exposed me to that. It can be very dangerous for pregnant women/the fetus.
I"m not saying you shouldn't go no matter what, but verify with the Dr the period in which you'll still be contagious.

[y4m]

Jul 23, 2012 10:16:39 GMT -5 EmilieMadison said:

not saying you shouldn't go no matter what, but verify with the Dr the period in which you'll still be contagious.

They don't know. You can apparently be contagious from a few days to a year or more. General advice is that you can go back to school/work once you are no longer showing symptoms.

[Deleted]

The bacteria typically stays in your feces for weeks after you don't have symptoms, so you can still contaminate things even if you feel better. I would personally not go to a baby shower if there will be older adults or younger kids, but that's just me.

As far as your fridge, you typically get salmonella from ready to eat foods or not cooking things long enough. If you aren't diligent about washing your hands at home then I would throw things out.

[Willis Jackson]

Please don't go to a baby shower.

[y4m]

Jul 23, 2012 10:28:12 GMT -5 Willis Jackson said:

Please don't go to a baby shower.

Until when?

[Deleted]

Jul 23, 2012 10:31:32 GMT -5 y4m said:

Jul 23, 2012 10:28:12 GMT -5 Willis Jackson said:

Please don't go to a baby shower.

Until when?

Can your doctor test you again?

I work I food service administration and if an employee has salmonella, we can't let them come back to work until a doctor says they aren't contagious anymore. I'm assuming they test them again? I have no idea how a doctor determines that.

[Willis Jackson]

I don't know. A few months? I mean, the risk is too great, IMO.

[Willis Jackson]

Oh, I have to add that a friend had a bout of food poisoning that sent her into preterm labor. They weren't able to stop it so she gave birth while vomiting violently/having explosive diarrhea/etc. It was horrific.

[litasail]

I'm sorry you're so sick. As to cause, I saw this this morning - have you eaten any ground beef lately?

www.foodsafetynews.com/2012/07/cargill-recalls-30000-pounds-of-fresh-ground-beef/

[y4m]

Jul 23, 2012 10:48:19 GMT -5 litasail said:

I'm sorry you're so sick. As to cause, I saw this this morning - have you eaten any ground beef lately?

www.foodsafetynews.com/2012/07/cargill-recalls-30000-pounds-of-fresh-ground-beef/

Thanks--it looks like the dates on those are from June, so I'll be looking for something similar to come out in about a month. The two most likely culprits in terms of timeline are eggs or tomatoes I had at Clydes for brunch, or chicken I prepared (but DH also ate and did not get sick). Neither seems particularly likely so I'm pretty puzzled.

[ijack]

My BFF did in middle school and I remember that no one could use "her" bathroom for months.

[audry80]

I had it last year. I completed a round of antibiotics, was retested and it came back clear. I was never told to stay away from anyone.. Hope I never infected anyone. Not to scare you and TMI but it took my bowels almost a year to recover.

[agnes]

My brother had Salmonella in high school. He was hospitalized because of it. My mother swears that he got it from his friend's reptiles.

[meggers]

I had it in grade school from contaminated milk. (I think over 3,500 people in the midwest were sickened from this outbreak in the early 80's.) I was out of school for over 3 weeks.

[y4m]

Jul 23, 2012 18:08:47 GMT -5 audry80 said:

I had it last year. I completed a round of antibiotics, was retested and it came back clear. I was never told to stay away from anyone.. Hope I never infected anyone. Not to scare you and TMI but it took my bowels almost a year to recover.

Thanks for sharing this. My doctor doesn't seem concerned about me being in contact with people either now that I've completed a course of antibiotics. I'm worried about it taking awhile to get back to normal though--I've never been sick like that before.

[Deleted]

Feel better

[Kore]

Dude I'm sorry you've been so sick!

[polarbearfans]

Skip the baby shower. Too soon.

[sarahsas]

Agreed that you shouldn't go. A girl who I did a study abroad program with got it while we were in Mexico and was basically quarantined. It was too late and her roommate got it too. It was not fun for anyone.

[jigsy]

Sorry Y4M. I hope you start feeling better, but I think I would skip the shower, I am sure the Mom-to-be will understand. Even if you are not contagious, it doesn't sound like it would be fun to fly across the country after feeling so sick.