Final answer:
Salmonella is a bacterial infection, specifically categorized as c. bacterial infection, that occurs through the ingestion of contaminated food and causes gastrointestinal diseases known as salmonellosis with symptoms such as diarrhea and abdominal cramps.
Step-by-step explanation:
Salmonella is a bacterial infection that can cause a wide range of gastrointestinal diseases, known as salmonellosis, by the rod-shaped, gram-negative bacterium Salmonella. It is often contracted through the ingestion of contaminated food, particularly poultry and eggs. These bacteria can cause illness by colonizing the host's gut and producing toxins that damage host cells, leading to symptoms like diarrhea and abdominal cramps.
In the context of the question, the correct answer is c. bacterial infection. This is different from intoxication, where the toxins are preformed in the food before ingestion. Foodborne illness can result from either infection or intoxication, but Salmonella specifically causes an infection that comes from eating food that contains the live pathogenic bacteria.
Preventing salmonellosis involves proper handwashing and cooking foods thoroughly, as Salmonella bacteria can survive freezing but not high temperatures. Gastrointestinal symptoms typically arise due to the toxins produced by the infection, while rapid onset of symptoms after consuming preformed toxin characterizes intoxication.