Salmonella infection, also called salmonellosis, is a type of gastroenteritis (or 'gastro'). It is caused by salmonella bacteria. It usually comes from contaminated food, so it's sometimes called 'food poisoning'.
“Salmonella” is what we commonly call it when you get sick with diarrhea and stomach pains from Salmonella bacteria (gastroenteritis). It's the most common form of bacterial food poisoning in the U.S.
Salmonella infection is one of the most common types of food poisoning. It occurs when you eat food or drink water that contains Salmonella bacteria. The Salmonella germs may get into the food you eat in several ways.
Signs and symptoms of salmonella infection generally last a few days to a week. Diarrhea may last up to 10 days, but it may take several months before bowels return to usual stool habits.
Salmonella is the name of a group of bacteria.
In the United States, it is the most common cause of foodborne illness. Salmonella occurs in raw poultry, eggs, beef, and sometimes on unwashed fruit and vegetables.
Well, fortunately, you'll usually recover from the most common types of food poisoning within 12 to 48 hours. Your goal should be to make sure that your body gets enough fluids so that you don't become dehydrated. Don't eat solid foods until diarrhea has passed, and avoid dairy products.
Most salmonella infections get better on their own with home remedies. That includes getting rest and drinking lots of fluids since vomiting and diarrhea can lead to dehydration. You may want to use over-the-counter pain medication for discomfort and fever.
Symptoms of a salmonella infection may include diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection chills, headache, nausea, or vomiting. Treatment may not be necessary unless dehydration happens or the infection spreads to the blood stream.
Abdominal pain
To accomplish that, muscle in the abdomen contract forcefully - and the result is cramps. Dr. William A. Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt Medical School in Nashville, Tenn., says the cramps can be so severe that doctors sometimes suspect the patient might have appendicitis.
Additionally, if you have a fever higher than 100.4, along with abdominal cramping and diarrhea, if you notice blood in your stool or your vomit, if you have diarrhea longer than 10 days, if you have severe cramping, or if you begin to feel weak or dizzy, you should see your doctor.
Salmonella infections are commonly treated with fluoroquinolones or third-generation cephalosporins, such as ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone. Enteric or typhoid fever is best treated with antibiotics for 5-7 days for uncomplicated cases and up to 10-14 days for a severe infection.
Food poisoning is caused by eating something that is contaminated with germs, also known as a foodborne illness. This usually involves bacteria like E. coli (Escherichia coli), Staphylococcus aureus, or Salmonella, but there are viruses or parasites that can also cause food poisoning.
Some people may also have nausea, vomiting, or a headache. Symptoms usually start within 6 hours–6 days after infection and last 4–7 days.
Gastrointestinal salmonella infections often run their course in 4 to 7 days. Often no treatment is needed. But if you have severe diarrhea, you may need rehydration with IV (intravenous) fluids and antibiotics.
Most people recover without specific treatment. Antibiotics are typically used only to treat people with severe illness. Patients should drink extra fluids as long as diarrhea lasts. In some cases, diarrhea may be so severe that the person needs to be hospitalized.
Self-Checks/At-Home Testing
If your symptoms are severe, this information can help you discuss available treatment choices with your healthcare provider. A quick online search will yield results for multiple, at-home kits that check for the presence of salmonella.
If a person thinks that they have eaten raw or undercooked chicken, they should wait and see whether symptoms of foodborne illness develop. It is not advisable to try to induce vomiting, as this may cause unnecessary harm to the gut.
Emergency room physician Troy Madsen, MD, says food poisoning generally takes about six hours to take effect, but most people get through it all right.
If you have a salmonella infection, your diarrhea typically will have a strong odor. Sometimes you may also have blood in the stool. The illness often lasts for just a few days. Children younger than 3 months may have the infection for a longer period of time.
Most people recover from the bacteria without requiring additional Salmonella treatment. Patients should consume extra fluids until their diarrhea clears up. Doctors may also prescribe antibiotics to treat more severe cases.