What Are The Symptoms Of Food Poisoning From Peanut Butter?

Salmonella Is One of the Most Common Types of Food Poisoning

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, Salmonella enterocolitis is an infection in the lining of the small intestine that is caused by Salmonella bacteria. If someone eats peanut butter with these bacteria in it, they may become sick with a stomach ache, vomiting, diarrhea, and other symptoms. Chills, abdominal pain and cramping, fever, muscle pain, and nausea are other symptoms of food poisoning from peanut butter.

Peanut Butter Recalls Are A Concern

Recalls of peanut butter were fairly common, and there were also recalls of raw and roasted peanuts. The reason for manufacturers taking their products off the shelves of stores across the country is that salmonella bacteria was found in peanut butter that was processed by a certain company. After many people became sick after eating it, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Center for Disease Control agreed that the peanut butter was probably the source of the salmonella that was making people ill.

Symptoms Occur Between 8 and 48 Hours After Eating Peanut Butter

People who become sick with the symptoms of Salmonella may have eaten bacteria that was in peanut butter, but the bacteria can also be present in other foods like turkey, chicken, turkey dressing, or eggs that were not cooked thoroughly or stored properly. Most people who develop Salmonella enterocolitis are under 20 years of age. It affects young people or the elderly more than any other group, but people with weakened immune systems or someone who has taken antibiotics recently can also be affected by it.

Tests to Discover if The Sickness is From Salmonella Bacteria

It may be necessary to see your doctor confirm that you have Salmonella enterocolitis. Some people develop very small pink spots on the skin that are called rose spots. Tests that are commonly done to find the cause of the illness are blood cultures, complete blood counts, stool cultures, or a test to see if a person has developed antibodies to these bacteria.

How this Sickness is Treated

The person who is suffering from food poisoning from peanut butter needs to stay hydrated because dehydration can occur. Plenty of water and sports drinks should be given to the sick person, and a bland diet should be followed until diarrhea stops. Young children should be given Pedialyte to drink to replenish the fluid that is lost. In severe cases, healthcare providers may prescribe antibiotics. Anti-diarrhea medications should not be taken because they make the infection stay in the body longer.

Most People Feel Better in a Few Days

Healthy people usually recover from this infection in 2 to 5 days, but symptoms can last up to 2 weeks. The bacteria can stay in the body for up to a year after the infection.

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