Salmonella: Not Pleasant, But Not Fatal

Salmonella, which has been dubbed the "Harvard trots" in its current outbreak, generally appears after improper food handling, Dr. Nicholas Fiumara, director of the communicable diseases divisionof the state Department of Public Health, said yesterday.

Fiumara, who met with Harvard officials yesterday, said meat that has not been thoroughly cooked or eggs not well cooked or cleaned, could carry the bacteria, which infects the victim's digestive tract.

Dirty Hands

Once a person is infected, he also becomes a carrier, and if he fails to clean his hands after using the toilet, and subsequently handles food, consumers of the food could also become infected.

Symptoms, which usually appear 24 hours after an individual has been infected, include stomach pains, cramps and diarrhea. Nausea, vomiting and fever can appear in more serious cases.

Fiumara said the disease is self-limited, so symptoms should disappear 24 to 48 hours after they arise. Some students, however, have complained of more prolonged illness.

Students with salmonella infections should report to Stillman Infirmary, Fiumara said, adding that those with bad cases of diarrhea should be sure to drink enough fluids.

"It's not a pleasant thing to have, but it's not life-threatening." Fiumara said.