By: Kathy Hubbard
A friend of mine, on her way to a fabulous Paris vacation last month, became ill. Based on the description of her symptoms, which you can thank me for not sharing, she was suffering from a bout of food poisoning.
I’m sure she doesn’t care if it was e. coli or salmonella, she just wanted the symptoms to go away so she could eat croissants and boeuf bourguignon, but an article on MedicineNet.com says that it’s important to know which one you have so you can address your symptoms promptly and properly.
“E. coli and salmonella are both bacteria that can cause food poisoning. If certain strains of either bacterium enter your body, you can become physically ill. Symptoms typically resolve themselves within a week, but if your symptoms persist you will need immediate medical attention.”
So, what are they? E. coli (Escherichia coli) is a bacteria that lives in our intestines as well as the intestines of animals. Most E. coli is harmless, but certain strains cause illness through contaminated water or food, making it possible to catch it from infected animals or people.
“Salmonella is a group of bacteria that is a primary cause of foodborne illnesses. Salmonella occurs in raw poultry, eggs, beef, and occasionally unwashed fruits and vegetables. You can even get salmonella from handling certain pets,” MedicineNet says.
Symptoms for both infections are similar. With E. coli they typically occur two to five days after you’ve been exposed to the harmful bacteria. Sometimes you don’t have symptoms but can spread the bacteria to others. Salmonella symptoms, on the other hand, can occur within six hours of exposure, or it can take six days before you know you’re infected.
Now here’s the tricky part. They both cause diarrhea and vomiting with abdominal cramps and a fever. E. coli typically adds fatigue while salmonella adds a headache.
According to MedicineNet, “You should seek immediate medical attention if you have the following: diarrhea and a fever of 102 degrees Fahrenheit or more; diarrhea that persists longer than three days; bloody stool; prolonged vomiting; signs of dehydration like being unable to produce urine, dry mouth and throat, or dizziness when standing up.”
E. coli can be found in water, food soil, or on surfaces that have been contaminated with animal or human feces. You can be infected if you eat contaminated food (think undercooked hamburger or raw produce) or drink unpasteurized milk, juice or cider.
“Swallowing contaminated water whether it be in a lake, stream pond, river or swimming pool, hot tub or water park feature can cause infection,” they explain.
You can also be infected with E. coli if you’re in contact with farm animals or by touching contaminated surfaces then touching your mouth. And, importantly, you can be infected if you don’t wash your hands after using the toilet and then eating.
“Salmonella is usually transmitted by eating foods contaminated with animal feces. You will typically be infected by salmonella from contaminated beef, poultry, seafood, milk, eggs and unwashed fruits and vegetables,” MedicineNet says.
“However, if you think food from a jar, box, or freezer is safe from salmonella food poisoning, think again. A variety of processed foods have caused outbreaks, including butters, crackers, chips and frozen meals. It’s important to be aware of recalls. Never eat food that has been recalled. Bringing your processed foods up to an internal temperature of 165F before eating can also keep you safer.”
And speaking of cooking, always follow the guidelines for safe handling of all foods. Always keep your kitchen, prep surfaces, and your hands sparkling clean.
Your primary care provider will run tests to determine which bacteria is causing your symptoms. Knowing the cause can help health officials take the necessary protocol for managing a potential outbreak.
“In most cases, you will be able to recover from E. coli or Salmonella within four to seven days the severity of your infection, your age, and your overall health.”
They also say, “Getting plenty of fluids is an important part of your treatment plan. Antibiotics are not recommended to treat E. coli or salmonella infections, unless your infection has spread to your bloodstream, which is a serious condition and requires immediate treatment of antibiotics,”
Kathy Hubbard is a member of the Bonner General Health Foundation Advisory Council. She can be reached at kathyleehubbard@yahoo.com. This article was written for publication in the Bonner County Daily Bee on April 30, 2025.
