Kharnifex, you've been lucky! But you're playing with fire. Turtles are especially known as carriers of salmonella and it's not a fun bacteria to have to deal with: at least a week of nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, bloody diarrhea.
Although young children, elderly people and immuno-suppressed people are most at risk, it is wise to take precautions and practice better hygiene.
Keep reptile dishes, equipment, etc. away from the kitchen or eating places; wash hands after any contact with the animals or their cages and equipment. Do not kiss your animals.
Mal's concerns are warranted and although there is no need to panic about it, in this case, safe is better than sorry.

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Andrea

Too true blackjack, I have the immune system of a umm......well I have a strong immune system. Honestly I think I've been exposed to salmonella since I was so young that I have developed an immunity to it.

But, with that there is the risk that I could contaminate someone else and that would not be nice at all. So hygiene with reptiles is very important, you never know when you might touch a baby, or shake hands with a very old person. Better safe than to potentially hurt others.

Whoa there!
Salmonella is a very valid concern! Particularly around very young children, the elderly or anyone who has an immune suppressing situaton such as HIV or is under chemotherapy.

Granted if you ARE healthy it may only make you sick to your stomach.
And it will be the worst case of sick to your stomach that you have ever had.
You will develop a VERY close relationship with the porcelin god!

You have just gotten off lucky!
The thing is, not all reptiles will transmit salmonella. And the ones that do are not consistent in shedding the bacteria. Thats why there is no reliable test for it. Just because an animal tests negative for it at one test doesn't mean that it won''t later shed the bacteria.
Telling someone that there is nothing to worry about just because you have lucked out would be like telling someone that it is OK to walk into moving traffic with your eyes closed!
You may have gotten away with it,....
but it doesn't make it any less dangerous.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

Hmmm, do you know of any differences between salmonella sickness and botulism? cause salmonella sickness sounds an awful lot like food poisoning and I've gotten my fair share of bad foods. Maybe I've gotten salmonella and it's disguised itself as food poisoning?

Does salmonella give you the works? Like sitting on the toilet with a wastebasket Cause I've been there.

You got it! Salmonella is exactly like food poisoning. Same symptoms.
And it can last for days!
NOT fun!

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

Lol, so I guess I'm not immune and may have had it several times LOL, I always thought salmonella was like an infection with fever and sweat, not all the vomiting too.

I believe this is the best new thing I've learned this week!

A lot of food poisoning is actually caused by the salmonella bacteria (as well as others).
Raw chicken is a big source. You should not use the same knives you cut raw chicken with or cutting boards for chicken with anything else unless you really wash it well in hot, hot water and soap! Also poultry should be cooked through.
In severe cases, there can be fever and sweat but the gastrointestinal symptoms are usually present in all cases.

Yes, it sounds like you've had more than your share of salmonella poisoning! I don't know of anyone immune to it, so hygiene is key. I don't think you can pass it on easily to other people (unless you're preparing their food after dealing with your turtle!)
Glad you learned something useful! Your guts will thank you for it.

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Andrea

too true. lol