The germs. must be swallowed to cause disease. Usually this happens when someone eats food that has been contaminated with the germs and has not been properly handled, prepared or cooked. The germs can also spread when people do not wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water after using the toilet, changing diapers, or handling reptiles. People who get the germs on their hands can infect themselves by eating, smoking, or touching their mouths. They can also spread the germs to -anyone or anything they touch, especially food, which can then make others sick i.f not cooked enough to kill the germs. Salmonella is commonly spread from person to person in day-care centers and other environments where hygiene may be poor.