Don't cross-contaminate!
You don't have to touch a reptile or amphibian to get sick from their germs
. Be aware that any reptile food such as frozen or live rodents, equipment, and materials, including the tank water, can be contaminated with Salmonella and other germs.
Do snakes have Salmonella on their skin?
Most reptiles can carry Salmonella
and these bacteria have been seen in turtles, snakes, iguanas, and lizards. Evidence is increasing that amphibians (e.g. frogs, toads, newts, and salamanders) can also carry and spread salmonellosis to humans.
Can you get salmonella from touching a snake?
Salmonella can spread by
either direct or indirect contact with
amphibians (e.g., frogs), reptiles (e.g., turtles, lizards or snakes) or their droppings. Salmonella infections can also result from having contact with reptile or amphibian environments, including the water from containers or aquariums where they live.
Can you get Salmonella from touching?
When animals or
humans touch or consume food or drink contaminated with Salmonella
, they are likely to get salmonellosis. The contaminated animal or human then can easily spread the bacteria to other animals and/or humans by direct and indirect contact.
How can snakes prevent Salmonella?
How do I reduce the risk of Salmonella infection from reptiles and amphibians?
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water immediately after touching
a reptile or amphibian, or anything in the area where they live and roam. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not readily available.
How do I know if my snake has Salmonella?
Fecal (stool) or cloacal cultures
will determine if your pet is carrying the bacteria. Since they have to be shedding the bacteria in their feces (stool) and some only shed the bacteria intermittently, several cultures may be necessary to detect Salmonella. Q: My pet amphibian/reptile is a Salmonella carrier.
What diseases can snakes give you?
The zoonotic diseases associated with reptile and amphibian contact are primarily bacterial infections. These include
Salmonella, Mycobacterium, Campylobacter, Aeromonas, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Serratia
and Flavobacterium meningosepticum.
What happens if Salmonella is left untreated?
Although most people recover from a Salmonella infection without treatment, it's
possible to become very ill or even die from it
. The CDC estimates that Salmonella infection causes 23,000 hospitalizations and 450 deaths in the United States each year.
How long is someone contagious with Salmonella?
Are Salmonella Infections Contagious? Yes. People with salmonellosis can spread the infection from
several days to several weeks after they'
ve been infected — even if their symptoms have disappeared or they've been treated with antibiotics.
What kills Salmonella in the body?
Antibiotics
. If your doctor suspects that salmonella bacteria have entered your bloodstream, or if you have a severe case or a compromised immune system, he or she may prescribe antibiotics to kill the bacteria. Antibiotics are not of benefit in uncomplicated cases.
Can Salmonella be cured?
Most people recover from Salmonella infection
within four to seven days without antibiotics
. People who are sick with a Salmonella infection should drink extra fluids as long as diarrhea lasts. Antibiotic treatment is recommended for: People with severe illness.
What happens if you get Salmonella?
They generally cause
diarrhea
. Salmonella can also cause typhoid fever. It can spread to other parts of the body. Symptoms of a salmonella infection usually include diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps, chills, headache, nausea, or vomiting.
Can ball pythons give you Salmonella?
Their tame nature and small size relative to other pythons make them popular pets in the United States (2,3). However, like other reptiles,
ball pythons are known carriers of multiple Salmonella serovars
(4). As a result, CDC recommends that children aged
How long can Salmonella last on surfaces?
Most Salmonella bacteria live on dry surfaces for
up to four hours
before they're no longer infectious.
Is Salmonella fatal?
Salmonella infection usually isn't life-threatening
. However, in certain people — especially infants and young children, older adults, transplant recipients, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems — the development of complications can be dangerous.
Do all lizards have Salmonella?
Most, if not all, reptiles carry Salmonella bacteria in their intestinal tract and intermittently or continuously shed these bacteria in their feces. Salmonella bacteria
usually do not cause any illness in reptiles
, but can cause serious illness in people.
