Patient education: Salmonella infection (The Basics)

What is Salmonella infection? — Salmonella infection is an illness that can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. "Salmonella" is a kind of bacteria. People most often get the infection from eating or touching foods that contain the bacteria. This is often chicken or eggs, or dairy products. You can also get the infection from touching certain animals, such as chickens, ducks, and turtles, then putting your hands to your mouth.

What are the symptoms of Salmonella infection? — Symptoms usually come on within a few days of eating food (or touching an animal) that has the bacteria. The symptoms include:

●Nausea or vomiting

●Fever – This usually lasts 2 or 3 days.

●Diarrhea that can be watery or bloody – This usually lasts 4 to 10 days.

●Belly pain or cramping

Salmonella infection is usually not serious, and most people get better within a few days to a week. But in some cases, the bacteria get into the bloodstream. If this happens, people with certain conditions could get very sick. These include people whose immune system is weaker than normal, or who have cancer or another serious disease.

Should I see a doctor or nurse? — See your doctor or nurse if you:

●Have severe belly pain

●Cannot eat or drink

●Vomit blood or have blood in your bowel movements

●Have a fever higher than 100.4°F (38°C) for more than 2 or 3 days

Is there a test for Salmonella infection? — Yes, but not everyone needs to be tested. If your symptoms are not severe, you probably won't need a test. But if you have a high risk of getting very sick from Salmonella infection, your doctor might do a test even if you do not have severe symptoms. People at high risk include those with a weak immune system, babies under 1 year old, and adults older than 50.

If your doctor decides to do a test, this involves taking a sample of your bowel movement to check for Salmonella bacteria. But it can take 2 or 3 days to get the test results. If you have a high risk of getting very sick from Salmonella infection, your doctor or nurse might not wait for your test results before starting treatment.

How is Salmonella infection treated? — It usually goes away on its own, so most people do not need treatment. But if you get very sick, you might be treated in the hospital. Doctors can give antibiotics through a thin tube that goes into a vein, called an "IV."

If you have a high risk of getting very sick from Salmonella infection, your doctor might prescribe antibiotic pills.

If your immune system is normal, you probably only need to take antibiotics for a few days. But, if you have a weak immune system or a have complications from the infection, you might need them for longer. The antibiotics help get rid of the infection and keep it from coming back.

Is there anything I can do on my own to feel better? — Yes. You can:

●Drink plenty of liquids that have water, salt, and sugar – If your symptoms are mild, you can try water mixed with juice, flavored soda, or soup broth. This helps replace the fluids your body loses when you throw up or have diarrhea.

●Eat what you can, starting with small amounts. Foods with a lot of fat in them might make you feel worse.

●Rest if you feel tired.

Can Salmonella infection be prevented? — Yes. You can lower the chances of getting or spreading the infection by:

●Washing your hands frequently. This is especially important before and after preparing food and after changing diapers, going to the bathroom, blowing your nose, touching animals, or taking out the trash.

●Staying home from work or school if you are sick.

●Paying attention to food safety. Tips include:

•Don't drink unpasteurized milk or eat foods made with it

•Wash fruits and vegetables well before eating them

•Keep the refrigerator colder than 40°F (4.4°C) and the freezer below 0°F (-18°C)

•Cook meat and seafood until well done

•Cook eggs until the yolk is firm

•Wash hands, knives, and cutting boards after they touch raw food

For more tips to on handling food safely, see the table (table 1).

What if I am pregnant? — If you think you might have Salmonella infection, talk to your doctor, nurse, or midwife. Most pregnant people do not need treatment. But you might need it if you get very sick and are near your due date.

More on this topic

Patient education: Diarrhea in teens and adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Food poisoning (The Basics)

Patient education: Acute diarrhea in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Acute diarrhea in children (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Foodborne illness (food poisoning) (Beyond the Basics)