Tuberculosis (TB) Workup: Approach Considerations, Sputum Smear, Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests

Have You Heard Of Salmonella Infection? Know Its Causes And Symptoms

Salmonella infection or salmonellosis is a common bacterial disease that occurs in our digestive system. Salmonella bacteria are commonly found in the intestines of animals and humans, where they are expelled through stool. Humans are most usually infected by contaminated water or food. 

According to MayoClinc, most persons often suffer from diarrhoea, fever, and stomach abdominal pain between 8 and 72 hours following exposure. Most healthy people recover in a few days to a week without any special therapy.

It is important to understand the causes and symptoms of salmonella infection is important for prevention and timely treatment. 

Causes of Salmonella Infection Contaminated Food

"One of the most common causes of salmonella infection is consuming food contaminated with the bacteria. Foods most often associated with salmonella include raw or undercooked eggs, poultry, meat, unpasteurised milk and dairy products, and seafood. Fruits and vegetables can also become contaminated," said Dr Sanjay Chaudhary, MBBS, MD, New Delhi. 

Also read: Recently Recovered From Typhoid? Follow These Tips To Regain Energy

Infected Animals

"Certain animals, particularly reptiles, amphibians, and birds, can carry Salmonella without appearing ill. Handling these animals or their environments without proper hygiene can lead to infection," said Dr Sanjay Chaudhary. 

Person-to-Person Transmission

As per Dr Chaudhary, salmonella can be spread from person to person through the fecal-oral route. This can happen if an infected person does not wash their hands properly after using the bathroom and then touches food or objects.

Contaminated Water

One should avoid drinking or swimming in water that has been contaminated with Salmonella can also lead to infection.

Symptoms of Salmonella Infection

Symptoms of salmonella infection typically start 6 hours to 6 days after infection and can include:

Diarrhoea: This can be severe and sometimes bloody.

Abdominal Cramps: These can be painful and are often severe.

Fever: A high temperature is common with salmonella infections.

Nausea and Vomiting: Many people with salmonella infection will experience bouts of nausea and vomiting.

Headache and Muscle Pains: These flu-like symptoms can accompany the gastrointestinal symptoms.

Dehydration: Symptoms of dehydration can include dry mouth and throat, feeling dizzy when standing up, and not peeing very much.

The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness.

Prevention of Salmonella Infection

Preventing salmonella infection involves measures to avoid consuming contaminated food and water and ensuring proper hygiene, especially after handling animals or going to the bathroom. Here are some key prevention tips:

Cook Food Thoroughly: Most importantly insure that poultry, meat, and eggs are cooked to a safe internal temperature to kill any bacteria.

Avoid Cross-Contamination: Use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw meat and other foods. Wash hands, kitchen surfaces, and utensils with soap and water immediately after they have been in contact with raw meat or eggs.

Wash Fruits and Vegetables: Rinse fresh fruits and vegetables under running water before eating, cutting, or cooking.

Refrigerate Perishables Promptly: Keep perishable foods refrigerated and do not leave them out for more than 2 hours.

Practice Good Hygiene: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling pets or animals, going to the bathroom, and before preparing or eating food.

If you suspect you have a salmonella infection, stay hydrated and seek medical assistance if the symptoms worsen or continue. In some circumstances, antibiotics may be required to treat the infection, particularly for people who are more likely to develop problems.

Disclaimer

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Gastrointestinal Symptoms To Never Ignore

Medically reviewed by Kumkum S. Patel MD, MPH

Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms affect most people from time to time. The gastrointestinal tract is the body's digestive system. Common GI symptoms include bloating, indigestion, and heartburn. Other symptoms that may indicate a health problem may include sudden abdominal pain, constant diarrhea, and bloody stool.

This article discusses serious GI symptoms that should never be ignored, their possible causes, and what to do about them.

Kate Wieser / Getty Images

Stomach Cramps

Stomach cramps are a common GI symptom that often feels like a dull, aching pain. The discomfort may be constant or come and go. Common causes of stomach cramps include constipation, gas, diarrhea, a virus, hormonal medication, a menstrual period, pregnancy, and ovulation.

Serious causes of stomach cramps may include:

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): a condition that causes diarrhea, constipation, and cramping

Gallstones: hard deposits that block the bile ducts and may cause cramping and pain

Inflammatory bowel disease: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis cause chronic inflammation in the GI tract, stomach cramping, and pain

Kidney stones: hard deposits that may become lodged in the urinary tract or ureter

Diverticulitis: occurs when small sacs or pouches in the colon become inflamed and cause pain and cramping

Appendicitis: an inflammation of the appendix that causes significant abdominal pain and cramping

Pancreatitis: an inflammation of the pancreas that causes abdominal pain, cramping, and vomiting

Endometriosis: when endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus and causes significant pain and cramping during the menstrual cycle

Swollen Belly

If you notice a swollen belly, it is likely due to bloating. Common causes of bloating are gas, indigestion, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), IBS, or lactose intolerance, which causes bloating, gas, and diarrhea after ingesting lactose (dairy products).

Serious causes of a swollen belly include:

IBD

Ascites: a buildup of fluid in the abdomen caused by chronic liver disease

Gallstones

Pancreatitis

Ovarian cyst: a fluid-filled sac on or in the ovary that causes abdominal pain and swelling

Related: Digestive System Diseases

Bloody Vomit

Bloody vomit indicates bleeding somewhere in your digestive tract. Never ignore bloody vomit because the cause of the bleeding requires treatment. Possible causes of bloody vomit include:

Bleeding ulcer: a sore on the lining of the stomach or small intestine that may bleed and cause vomiting

Chronic pancreatitis: may lead to bleeding in the upper part of the GI tract

Tumor: a tumor in the GI tract may irritate the tissues and cause bleeding

Traumatic injury: an injury to the abdominal area that may lead to internal bleeding (see a healthcare provider immediately if this happens)

Esophageal varices: swollen veins in cirrhotic patients

Belly Button Pain

Pain around your belly button usually indicates a mild condition like indigestion or constipation. Serious causes of belly button pain may include:

Abdominal wall hernia: occurs when part of an organ protrudes (sticks through) an area of muscle, leading to pain around the belly button

Crohn's disease: causes inflammation and pain around the belly button

Appendicitis

Gallstones

Pancreatitis

Bowel obstruction: occurs when the intestine is blocked and stool cannot pass through

Bowel perforation: a hole that develops in the stomach or colon

Bloody Stool or Urine

Blood in the stool or urine means you are bleeding somewhere in your lower GI or urinary tract. A small amount of bright red blood with straining may indicate hemorrhoids. Serious causes of bloody stool may include:

Anal fissure: a small tear in the lining of the rectum that causes drops of red blood when you wipe after using the bathroom

Diverticulitis: a condition that can lead to diverticular bleeding

Infectious colitis: an infection in the colon that causes inflammation and bleeding

Colon polyps: growths on the lining of the colon and rectum that may become irritated and start bleeding

Colorectal cancer: cancer of the colon or rectum in which cancerous growths may cause bleeding

A small amount of blood in the urine after a procedure on the bladder or urinary tract is common. For example, you may experience a small amount of bleeding after having a catheter. People who menstruate may notice blood in their urine caused by their menstrual period. Serious causes of bloody urine may include:

Pain in the Upper Stomach

Pain in the upper area of your stomach may indicate indigestion or heartburn. Sudden upper abdominal pain may indicate a problem with the organs located in that area. The stomach, pancreas, spleen, liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts are in the upper abdomen. Serious causes of upper stomach pain may include:

Stomach ulcer: may cause pain in the upper stomach

Pancreatitis

Splenomegaly: an enlarged spleen may cause upper abdominal pain

Gallstones

Cholecystitis: an inflammation of the gallbladder that often causes nausea and upper abdominal pain

Hepatitis: Inflammation of the liver is usually caused by an infection; one sign of hepatitis is upper abdominal pain

Cancer: cancer of the stomach, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, or bile ducts may cause pain

Lower Right Abdominal Pain

Pain in the lower abdominal area may indicate constipation, diarrhea, or menstrual cramps. If you notice pain localized in the right side of the lower abdomen, it may be your appendix. Lower right quadrant pain could mean inflammation in your appendix (appendicitis). Rarely, it could indicate appendix cancer.

Constantly Feeling Full

Feeling full without eating or after eating only a small amount is not normal. Temporary causes of feeling very full could be eating habits, indigestion, or constipation. More serious causes of constantly feeling full may include:

IBS

Ulcer

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): occurs when contents from the stomach come back up the esophagus; this can cause you to feel full

Gastroparesis: a disorder that causes the stomach to empty slowly

Gastritis: an inflammation of the stomach lining that may cause you to feel full

Pancreatitis

Black Stool

Black stool usually means that there is bleeding in the digestive tract. Certain foods and supplements, such as blueberries or iron supplements, can make stool appear darker. Black stool could mean esophagus, stomach, or small intestine bleeding. It may also mean that you have a bleeding ulcer. 

Sudden Pulsing Pain

It is possible to feel a pulsing sensation in the abdomen because of a large blood vessel called the abdominal aorta. You may feel the abdominal aorta pulse when there is more blood flow due to pregnancy, eating, or positioning (lying down). An abdominal aortic aneurysm could cause sudden pulsing pain in the abdomen. 

Strong Hunger Pangs

It is normal to feel hunger pangs when you have gone a long time without eating. Hunger is your body's way of communicating that it is time to eat. Common causes of hunger pangs include hunger, dehydration, and constipation. Serious causes of intense hunger pangs may include:

IBS

Peptic ulcer

Anxiety: causes physical symptoms, including stomach discomfort and intestinal spasms that may feel like hunger pangs

Medications: including antidepressants, antipsychotics, diabetes medications, steroids, and anticonvulsants (seizure medications), which can cause hunger and weight gain

Constant Diarrhea

Most people experience diarrhea or loose stools from time to time. If you have been experiencing constant or chronic diarrhea, see a healthcare provider. The types of diarrhea that may indicate a health problem include:

Watery: may be caused by an infection, food poisoning, or IBS

Fatty: usually means that your body has a problem breaking down fats in the diet; causes may include celiac disease, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), or gastric bypass surgery

Inflammatory: occurs when the colon is inflamed from infection, IBD, diverticulitis, or cancer

Bloody: indicates inflammation or colon cancer

Summary

Gastrointestinal symptoms are common and often include heartburn, indigestion, bloating, and cramping. Other GI symptoms are more serious and may indicate a health problem. If you ever experience bleeding with vomiting, urinating, or releasing stool, see a healthcare provider. Seek medical attention if you notice sudden abdominal pain that does not improve.

Read the original article on Verywell Health.

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Melena: What To Know About Black Stool

Medically reviewed by Kumkum S. Patel MD, MPH

Melena is when blood causes stools to appear black, tarry, and foul-smelling. The blood is dark because it is coming from somewhere in the upper digestive system, including the esophagus (food tube), stomach, and small intestine. Melena is not a disease itself but rather a symptom of a condition that's causing the bleeding.

Blood in the stool is never normal, so when melena is present, it is important to see a healthcare provider for an evaluation.

This article will describe some of the possible reasons for melena, when it might be an emergency, and the testing that might be done to determine the cause.

Kevin Brine / Getty Images

What Causes Melena?

Stools may look black and appear tarry because they contain blood. The blood is dark because it is coming from somewhere in the upper digestive tract. This means that there is a medical condition present that is causing bleeding.

The amount of blood in the upper intestinal tract needs to be somewhere between 100 to 200 milliliters (about 7 to 13 tablespoons) to turn stool black. The black stools could continue for even a few days after the bleeding stops.

Peptic Ulcer (Gastric or Duodenal Ulcer)

A peptic ulcer is the most common cause of bleeding in the upper digestive tract. The stomach and small intestine have a lining, and if it wears away beyond the mucosal layers, bleeding can occur.

An ulcer in the stomach is called a gastric ulcer, and an ulcer in the first section of the small intestine (the duodenum) is called a duodenal ulcer.

It's a common myth that stress causes these ulcers. However, they are usually caused by Helicobacter pylori (H. Pylori) bacteria infection. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin or Advil and Motrin (ibuprofen) can also cause these ulcers.

Some people with an ulcer have no symptoms. But when there are symptoms, they can include gnawing or burning pain in the upper chest. This pain might get better after eating or taking antacids, but sometimes when the stomach is involved, the pain doesn't follow a pattern.

Cirrhosis with Esophageal or Gastric Varices

Varices occur when a vein in the esophagus or stomach becomes dilated from too much pressure in the portal vein, which returns blood to the liver from the stomach, intestines, spleen, and pancreas. They are most commonly related to severe scarring in the liver, called cirrhosis.

Varices may have no symptoms except bleeding. The blood loss can be sudden and severe (acute). More commonly, however, the bleeding is chronic (long-lasting).

Mallory-Weiss Syndrome

A Mallory-Weiss tear is when there is a breakdown of the lining of the esophagus or upper stomach. It can be caused by forceful vomiting. It can be associated with vomiting from any cause but is sometimes associated with alcohol use disorder.

Erosive Esophagitis

Irritation or inflammation in the esophagus could lead to bleeding in some cases. Some of the symptoms could include trouble swallowing, feeling like something is caught in the throat, and a burning sensation.

There are a number of potential causes of esophagitis, including infection, vomiting, injury, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or a stuck pill.

Vascular Gastrointestinal Lesions

Vascular gastrointestinal lesions are rare. They are abnormalities in blood vessels that may cause bleeding.

These lesions can be present at birth or develop over time because of an associated condition such as kidney disease, cardiac disease, or mechanical heart valves (due to a condition called Heyde syndrome). The cecum and ascending colon are common places where these lesions might occur.

Tumors

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors may also cause bleeding that leads to melena. They are very rare and are caused by a mutation in certain genes. These tumors occur most often in people between 50 and 60 years old.

What Else Could Cause Black Stool?

Black stool could also be caused by something other than blood. Most commonly, this includes foods that are dark blue or black.

Some foods that turn stool dark are black licorice, chocolate sandwich cookies, beets, and artificial black, blue, or red food coloring. This discoloration is usually harmless and will go away after the food is digested.

Black stools could also be caused by iron supplements or bismuth subsalicylate (the active ingredient in Pepto-Bismol). As the dark color is not due to blood, it is not considered melena. If the cause is from a food or supplement, the stool will lack a tarry appearance and not have a distinctive foul-smelling odor.

What Does Melena Look Like?

True melena that's caused by blood in the stool has certain characteristics. Stool has a wide range of normal colors, but medium brown is typical. Melena causes stool to be much darker, appearing black or nearly black.

Melenic stool is also different in texture from normal stools. It is often described as tarry, meaning it is sticky and dense.

The third part of melena is the smell. Stool that contains blood has what is usually termed a "foul" smell, which is strong and unmistakable.

Other Symptoms With Melena

There may not be any other symptoms when melena starts. When there are symptoms, they will vary based on the condition that is causing it.

There could be abdominal or chest pain, especially if the cause is from an ulcer in the stomach or the small intestine. There could also be vomiting or diarrhea, depending on the reason for the melena. Significant blood loss could also be accompanied by dizziness, light-headedness, or even fainting.

How Do I Know If My Black Stool Is Melena?

When a black stool is melena, it will look tarry and smell offensive. Having other symptoms in the digestive tract may also signal blood in the stool.

However, when it's not clear that blood is in the stool, consider recent foods that you've eaten and supplements that you've taken. If any of the foods were dark in color, or if the supplements or medications could cause a dark stool, the stool might not contain blood.

Also, if the color changes back to that of a typical bowel movement and doesn't become black again, the cause likely was not blood.

If there is a true concern that blood is in the stool, contact a healthcare provider. A stool test called a fecal occult blood test might be used to detect the presence of blood.

Melena is a symptom of a problem, so there will be a need to determine the cause. The tests that might be used to find the cause of the bleeding might include:

Angiography: A type of X-ray that can be used to see blood vessels

Blood tests: Such as a complete blood count (CBC) and differential, serum chemistries, and clotting studies

Capsule endoscopy: A pill containing a tiny camera that's swallowed and takes a video of the small intestine as it passes through the body

Colonoscopy: A procedure to look at the inside of the colon using a flexible tube with a camera that's inserted through the anus

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD): A test used to look at the inside of the esophagus, stomach, and first part of the small intestine

Double balloon enteroscopy: A test to see farther into the small intestine than an EGD can reach

Gastrointestinal bleeding scan (GIBS): A noninvasive nuclear medicine test that uses contrast to find the source of bleeding

Stool culture: Tests stool for an infection

Tests for infection with H. Pylori

What Is the Treatment for Melena?

The treatment for melena is based on what is causing the bleeding. In general, the goals will be as follows:

Intravenous fluids and a blood transfusion may be needed if blood loss is significant.

If the bleeding is a tear or ulcer in the upper digestive system, an upper endoscopy might be used to not only see the cause of the bleeding but also to treat it. Ulcers in the stomach or duodenum that are caused by an infection with H. Pylori will be treated with acid-reducing medication and antibiotics.

Less common causes of bleeding may require treatments that include surgery and medications to help manage ulcers and inflammation.

When to Contact a Healthcare Provider

When melena is suspected, it's important to seek medical care. Sometimes blood in the stool is clear, but if there's any doubt, ask a healthcare provider for guidance. Blood in the stool is never normal and is always a sign to see a healthcare provider.

Seek care immediately for the following symptoms that signal a large amount of blood has been lost:

A large volume of blood has passed in the stool.

Only blood is being passed.

You become dizzy, faint, light-headed, or pale.

Other signs requiring emergency care are:

Severe chest or abdominal pain

Being unable to swallow

Food that gets stuck in the esophagus

Severe pain and blood loss need care immediately and could be reasons to go to the emergency department or call 911 for an ambulance.

Summary

Blood in the stool needs to be investigated by a healthcare provider. Black or dark stools could be caused by food, medication, or supplements, but it might not be possible to tell the difference with the naked eye.

If there is any concern that blood is in the stool, it's important to consult a healthcare provider. Bleeding higher up in the digestive tract can result from several different conditions. It's important to receive a diagnosis so that treatment can begin.

Read the original article on Verywell Health.

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