Salmonella during pregnancy: how to prevent it

Salmonella infection during pregnancy

Salmonella is particularly common in protein and liquid foods and prefers temperatures between 10 and 40 degrees. Since food contaminated with salmonella doesn’t smell, look or taste any different, it’s easy for expectant mothers to contract salmonella. However, transmission from person to person is also possible, so washing your hands thoroughly is a must, especially if you are ill. The symptoms can appear just a few hours after consumption, but sometimes only three days later and are usually gone after 24 hours.

Symptoms of Salmonella infection

Salmonella bacteria lodge in the gastrointestinal tract and release cell toxins that cause headaches, vomiting, chills, fever, as well as gastrointestinal problems and diarrhea. Severe salmonellosis that is left untreated manifests itself in intestinal bleeding, heart muscle inflammation, gallbladder and liver inflammation, which can lead to death. However, the risk is very low.

complications in pregnancy

Salmonella infection is usually not a major problem. It is particularly important that the water loss caused by diarrhea and vomiting is compensated for by drinking a lot, otherwise there is a risk of the baby being undersupplied. If it is severe salmonellosis that lasts for several days, the pregnant woman should definitely seek medical treatment. Otherwise, the undersupply of the baby can lead to a miscarriage or premature birth.

Preventing salmonella during pregnancy

• Since salmonella multiply rapidly in warm temperatures, it is important to store raw foods such as meat and eggs in a cool place and not to permanently interrupt the cold chain.
• The bacteria can also be found in frozen foods. Therefore, after defrosting, the liquid should be thrown away immediately and objects should be rinsed with hot water. Salmonella in the thawed food die off at 70 degrees and at least 10 minutes cooking time.
• Washing your hands thoroughly is also important, especially before they come into contact with food.

In this way, not only the risk of salmonellosis, but also of other foodborne infections (e.g. listeriosis ) can be significantly reduced.

Treatment of salmonella poisoning

You can support the recovery process yourself by drinking enough fluids. The intestinal bacteria are flushed out of the body. In addition, pretzel sticks and rusks or electrolyte tablets from the pharmacy replenish the electrolyte storage.

In the case of severe salmonellosis, antibiotics may be necessary after medical consultation. Care is taken to use an active ingredient that is as gentle as possible in order to protect you and your child.