Salmonella hospitalizes Dayton woman, 77

A 77-year-old Dayton woman is recovering from salmonella poisoning after spending over a week in the hospital.

Shirley Jane Shultz is the only person out of nine Nevadans infected with salmonella this year from pepper to be hospitalized, according to the Nevada Health Division.

The state had five reported cases in Washoe County, two in Carson City and one each in Lyon and Elko counties.

Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center diagnosed Shultz with salmonella April 9, gave her antibiotics and released her from the hospital, Shultz said.

She went back April 13 because she was still feeling sick with indigestion and other symptoms.

She stayed in the hospital until April 21 because her kidneys shut down temporarily, making her seriously ill.

"There was a period where they didn't think she would make it," said Joe Di Lonardo, her fiance.

She is going in for medical checks regularly to make sure she stays healthy.

She said she is also trying to eat well, especially because a blood test Friday showed she had low potassium.

"I've been pouring down the bananas," she said.

John Tyler, a Carson Tahoe Medical Center representative, confirmed Shultz was in the hospital, but said he could not comment on details of her stay because of federal privacy regulations.

The state health division is keeping track of Shultz's condition, said Martha Framsted, a division representative.

Illness is common with all people who get salmonella, but the severity of the infection depends on the person, she said.

California-based companies Union International Food Co. and CJ United Corporation recalled white and black pepper in March and this month.

The two infections in Carson City were reported in January and February, according to the Carson City Health and Human Services Department.

Infections seem to have come from an Asian restaurant in Reno, according to the department.

Cases were also reported in California, Oregon and Washington. No deaths have been reported.

Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious infections and hurt a person's immune system.