Most people who get a salmonella infection recover fully without treatment, but in some cases, the illness can be severe enough to require hospitalization.
DiarrheaAbdominal crampsFeverHeadacheNausea and vomitingLoss of appetite
Nausea and vomitingPersistent diarrhea that lasts for longer than three daysBlood in your stoolsFever higher than 102 degreesContinuous vomiting and inability to keep liquids downReduced urine output and dry mouth and throat (which are signs of dehydration)Dizziness, especially when standing upSevere abdominal pain
- Eating food or drinking water that has been contaminated with animal feces, such as:
Undercooked beef, poultry, or fish (cooking destroys salmonella)Raw eggs or products containing uncooked eggs, such as cookie doughRaw or unpasteurized dairy or dairy products such as milkRaw vegetables or fruit
- Eating food that has been handled by a food worker who hasn’t properly washed their hands
- Petting or handling the waste of an animal, particularly one that’s known to carry salmonella, such as lizards, turtles, or baby birds
Children under age 5Infants who are not breastfedAdults 65 and olderIndividuals with a weakened immune system (such as people with HIV or sickle cell disease, cancer patients, and those taking corticosteroids)People taking antacids (stomach acid can kill many types of salmonella bacteria; antacids lower your stomach’s acidity, which allows more bacteria to thrive)People taking antibiotics (these can lower the amount of “good” bacteria and leave you vulnerable to the infection)People with inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, which damages your intestinal lining and makes it easier for salmonella to flourishPet owners (especially those who own birds and reptiles)
Prognosis of Salmonella
Most people with salmonella start to feel better within a week or so and recover completely, although it may take a few weeks or months before their bowel function (how often they poop and the consistency of their stools) returns to normal. And in some of these serious cases, salmonella can result in death, especially if proper treatment isn’t started early enough. In some cases, however, symptoms can be more severe and last longer, and may lead to hospitalization and long-term complications.
WaterDiluted fruit juiceSports drinks (which can help replace lost electrolytes)Clear brothsPedialyte or similar electrolyte replacement drinks (but speak to your doctor before consuming or administering them)
- If you’re having trouble keeping anything down, try sipping small amounts of water or sucking on ice chips.
- Eat saltine crackers or pretzels to help replace electrolytes (sodium is an electrolyte)
- Eat small meals throughout the day. If your doctor is concerned that you may be at risk for severe dehydration, or if you have a high fever or severe abdominal pain, he or she may recommend you go to the hospital for treatment with intravenous fluids and monitoring.
Medication Options
If you have a weakened immune system or if your symptoms are severe and are not getting better, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat your salmonella infection. According to the CDC, antibiotics may be recommended for:
People with severe illness (such as high fever, severe diarrhea, or bacteria that has spread to their bloodstream)Adults older than 50 with underlying medical conditions, such as heart diseaseAdults 65 and olderInfants younger than 12 months oldPeople with compromised or weakened immune systems (such as cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy or people with HIV/AIDS)
Doctors may prescribe antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, azithromycin, and ceftriaxone to treat patients with severe salmonella infections. But worryingly, antibiotic-resistant salmonella has become a problem in recent years. Infections from these “multi-drug-resistant strains” of salmonella can be more severe and result in higher rates of hospitalization.
Alternative and Complementary Therapies
Researchers are still studying how probiotics may help treat food poisoning such as salmonella infections — so be sure to always talk to your doctor before using probiotics or any other treatment for your gastrointestinal problem. But given the increasing problem of antibiotic-resistant salmonella strains, potential alternative treatments such as probiotics are becoming more important today.
Prevention of Salmonella
Most salmonella infections are caused by contaminated food. The best way to reduce your risk for getting salmonella is to follow good food safety measures and take steps to prevent food poisoning.
Clean Wash your hands and surfaces such as cutting boards and countertops often and rinse fruits and vegetables under running water.Separate Avoid cross-contamination by using a separate cutting board for raw meat, poultry, and seafood, and by keeping these items separated from other foodCook Make sure food is cooked to the recommended internal temperature to kill germs.Chill Keep your refrigerator temperature at 40 degrees F or below and never leave perishable food out of the fridge for more than two hours. Thaw frozen food in the refrigerator or in the microwave, because leaving food out on the counter to defrost can allow bacteria to multiply rapidly.
Remember, too, to always wash your hands thoroughly after using the toilet or changing diapers and to wash your hands after contact with animals. Dehydration People who have a salmonella infection are at risk for losing too much fluid due to vomiting and diarrhea. Symptoms of dehydration include:
Decreased urine productionDry mouthSunken eyes
Bacteremia Salmonella can leave your intestines and enter your bloodstream. If that happens, infection can spread to other areas of your body, including:
The tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord (causing meningitis)The lining of your heart or its valves (causing endocarditis)Bones or bone marrow (causing osteomyelitis)
Pain and stiffness in the jointsSwelling in the toes and fingersConjunctivitisPainful urination
BacteremiaDehydrationReactive arthritisTyphoid or paratyphoid fever
And these underlying conditions, which weaken the immune system, may make a person more susceptible to an infection:
CancerHIV/AIDSDiabetesKidney disease
From questions and answers about symptoms to the latest reports and alerts about new infections, this site is the premier source for the information you need about salmonella from the world’s leading infectious-disease experts. FoodSafety.gov What are the four steps you need to take for food safety? What are the bacteria and viruses you need to watch out for to keep yourself and your family safe? And how do you know what your risk level is? You can find key information about food safety — as well as information about alerts and food recalls — here on this seminal site for food safety. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases If you get food poisoning, these are the tips and recommendations you’ll need to understand what remedies may help your symptoms and how doctors treat salmonella and other infections.
