9 Signs of Salmonella Poisoning (2024)

9 Signs of Salmonella Poisoning (1)
According to the Mayo Clinic there are more than 2,000 strains of salmonella bacteria, but only a dozen or so make people sick. Most often, salmonella poisoning results in gastroenteritis, a severe stomach illness.

Salmonella is most often contracted by eating raw or undercooked meat, poultry, eggs.

Nausea

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Though the symptoms of salmonella poisoning are felt most acutely in the lower abdomen, nausea and vomiting are common symptoms of the infection.

Sometimes the discomfort is so severe that "you're almost more afraid that you're going to live," says Dr. William A. Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt Medical School in Nashville, Tenn.

Diarrhea

9 Signs of Salmonella Poisoning (3)
Some infections, including those caused by E. coli, can cause bloody diarrhea. But while diarrhea is often a symptom of salmonella poisoning, it's generally not bloody.

Abdominal pain

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The bowel's job is to move waste out of the body. If you're infected with salmonella, the bowel wants to eliminate the offending germs as quickly as possible. 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.

Vomiting

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Though salmonella poisoning is generally not a severe illness, it can be fatal in certain people, including young children and the very old. One danger is that vomiting, along with diarrhea (another symptom of salmonella poisoning), can cause dangerous dehydration.

Hydration is key.

Fever

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About 70 percent of people with salmonella poisoning experience fever. It generally doesn't go super-high - typically no worse than 102 degrees, says Dr. Schaffner.

Chills

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Chills often go hand in hand with fever. If you feel chilly, doctors recommend a simple treatment: put a couple of extra blankets on the bed, and dive under them.

Headache

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Headache is one possible sign of salmonella poisoning. It's usually induced by a fever, says Dr. Schaffner.

Muscle Pains

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Muscle pains can strike with salmonella poisoning, although Dr. William Schaffner says they are less common than some other symptoms. If pains do come on, they will usually be in the abdomen and less frequently in the thighs and arms.

Blood in the Stool

9 Signs of Salmonella Poisoning (10)
Blood in the stool can certainly be disconcerting, but Dr. William Schaffner says luckily it's very rare with salmonella poisoning.

What to Do?

If you think you might have salmonella poisoning, consult your doctor.

The illness typically runs its course within a matter of days even without treatment, though doctors urge patients to drink plenty of fluids to prevent the dehydration that sometimes results from vomiting and diarrhea.

9 Signs of Salmonella Poisoning (2024)

FAQs

What are common signs of Salmonella food poisoning? ›

Most people develop diarrhea, fever and stomach (abdominal) cramps within 8 to 72 hours after exposure. Most healthy people recover within a few days to a week without specific treatment.

What does Salmonella stool look like? ›

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.

How to know if Salmonella is in the bloodstream? ›

Salmonella infection can be detected by testing a stool sample. However, most people have recovered from their symptoms by the time the test results return. If your health care provider suspects that you have a salmonella infection in your bloodstream, testing a sample of your blood for the bacteria may be needed.

What are the red flags of Salmonella? ›

Diarrhea (sometimes bloody). Fever. Stomach pains or cramps. Nausea and vomiting.

How quickly does food poisoning kick in? ›

Many people with mild cases of food poisoning think they have stomach flu. The time it takes food poisoning symptoms to start can vary. Illness often starts in about 1 to 3 days. But symptoms can start any time from 30 minutes to 3 weeks after eating contaminated food.

What kills Salmonella naturally? ›

Washington, D.C.—Tomato juice can kill Salmonella Typhi and other bacteria that can harm people's digestive and urinary tract health, according to research published this week in Microbiology Spectrum, a journal of the American Society for Microbiology.

What can be mistaken for Salmonella? ›

E. coli and salmonella may have similar symptoms as they are both bacterial infections. You may not experience all of these symptoms, and there are some differences. Most often, your symptoms will appear suddenly after you have become infected.

What is the best drink for Salmonella? ›

"You can have water, or this could be apple juice, grape juice — some people even like to sip on broth," says Dr. Kalakota. "Just be sure whatever you choose is flat and clear. Avoid drinks that are carbonated or you can't see through."

Can Salmonella go away on its own? ›

Most people recover from Salmonella infection within four to seven days without antibiotics. People who are sick with a Salmonella infection should drink extra fluids as long as diarrhea lasts. Antibiotic treatment is recommended for: People with severe illness.

How do you test for Salmonella at home? ›

A user drops a liquified sample of food onto a paper test strip that will give an accurate result in less than an hour. Here's what you should know about at-home Salmonella testing, and how you can prevent foodborne illness in your kitchen. What Are the Risk Factors for Salmonella?

How long can you have Salmonella without knowing? ›

You typically carry Salmonella bacteria in your body for 6 hours to 6 days before you show symptoms of salmonellosis. Some bacteria may not cause symptoms for months.

How long does it take for Salmonella to leave your system? ›

In otherwise healthy people, symptoms should go away in 2 to 5 days, but they may last for 1 to 2 weeks. People who have been treated for Salmonella may continue to shed the bacteria in their stool for months to a year after the infection.

What are 3 severe symptoms of Salmonella? ›

Symptoms of a salmonella infection usually include diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps, chills, headache, nausea, or vomiting. Treatment may not be needed unless dehydration happens or the infection doesn't get better.

What is the first stage of Salmonella? ›

The incubation period for Salmonella gastroenteritis (food poisoning) depends on the dose of bacteria. Symptoms usually begin 6 to 48 hours after ingestion of contaminated food or water and usually take the form of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

What color is Salmonella diarrhea? ›

Watery diarrhea: This is the chief symptom and it usually comes on suddenly. At times, diarrhea can also be bloody or have mucus. Fever: This almost always occurs with this infection, and you may also have chills. Abdominal pain and abdominal cramps: You are likely to have this symptom intermittently.

What are the early stages of Salmonella? ›

Most people with Salmonella infection have diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. Symptoms usually begin six hours to six days after infection and last four to seven days. However, some people do not develop symptoms for several weeks after infection and others experience symptoms for several weeks.

How long does Salmonella poisoning last in your system? ›

In otherwise healthy people, symptoms should go away in 2 to 5 days, but they may last for 1 to 2 weeks. People who have been treated for Salmonella may continue to shed the bacteria in their stool for months to a year after the infection.

What's the difference between Salmonella poisoning and food poisoning? ›

E. coli and salmonella are both bacteria that can cause food poisoning. You can potentially catch pathogenic E. coli from infected animals or people whereas salmonella occurs in raw poultry, eggs, beef, and occasionally unwashed fruits and vegetables.

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