Features of the course of salmonellosis in children

Salmonellosis is one of the most common intestinal infections with an established type of pathogen. It is caused by various subtypes of bacteria of the genus Salmonella, with the main source of infection being domestic animals. Infection can occur both through contact with infected animals and through consumption of contaminated foods (eggs, cottage cheese, milk, sour cream, meat). Due to the immaturity of the immune system, children are mainly susceptible to the disease; more than half of those infected are preschoolers. Representatives of this age group are not yet able to fully understand the need to observe personal hygiene rules and are inclined to taste everything, while dirty hands, toys, and household items can be the source of infection. Newborns can become infected from adult carriers of salmonella infection. There are frequent cases of mass salmonellosis in organized children's groups, and the cause of infection can be contaminated food products that have not undergone proper heat treatment, violation of sanitary and hygienic standards during storage and preparation of products, as well as infected personnel.