What are the symptoms of Salmonella poisoning?
Symptoms of salmonella appear anywhere from a few hours to a few days after exposure to Salmonella bacteria. Symptoms of salmonella affect your stomach and intestines (GI tract) and include:
You may have some or all these symptoms.
Do you always throw up with salmonella?
No, you don’t always throw up when you have Salmonella poisoning. The most common symptoms are diarrhea and fever, though you do sometimes throw up.
What does salmonella poop look like?
When you have a salmonella, your poop is usually runny and you may have to go a lot. It may have blood in it. Call or visit your healthcare provider if you have blood in your poop.
What causes salmonella?
Salmonella poisoning is caused by the bacteria Salmonella. When more Salmonella bacteria get into your body than it can destroy, you get an infection that causes fever, diarrhea and other stomach (gastrointestinal) issues.
Salmonella bacteria live in the guts of people and animals, but the things we eat, drink and touch can also be contaminated, including:
- Raw eggs and eggshells.
- Raw red meat, seafood and poultry.
- Fruits and vegetables.
- Unpasteurized milk or cheese.
- Untreated water.
- The fur, feathers, scales, skin and poop (feces) of animals and the places they live.
- Surfaces around someone who’s infected with Salmonella bacteria.
How do you get salmonella?
The most common way to get salmonella is from undercooked food or improper food prep, for instance:
- Eating uncooked or undercooked meat, poultry, seafood or eggs.
- Eating contaminated fruits and vegetables.
- Drinking contaminated water or unpasteurized milk.
- Not washing your hands while preparing food and eating.
You can also get salmonella from animals and people who are infected with Salmonella bacteria. You can get Salmonella bacteria on your hands when you touch an animal, then transfer it to your mouth. Almost any animal can have a Salmonella infection or carry Salmonella bacteria on its fur, feathers, scales or skin. This includes:
- Amphibians (frogs and toads).
- Reptiles (turtles, lizards and snakes).
- Birds (chicken, ducks, turkey and wild birds).
- Farm animals (cows, goats, sheep and pigs).
- Pets (dogs, cats, birds and small animals).
What food is Salmonella found in?
Almost any uncooked foods could be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria, but most people get sick from uncooked or undercooked poultry or eggs.
Does Salmonella have a smell?
No, Salmonella bacteria doesn’t have a smell. Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria usually smells and looks normal.
Is salmonella contagious?
Yes, salmonella is contagious — you can get a Salmonella infection from another person or even your pet. If you don’t wash your hands after going to the bathroom or while you are sick, you can contaminate surfaces and foods and spread Salmonella to other people.
FAQs
Humans become infected most frequently through contaminated water or food. Some people with salmonella infection have no symptoms. 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 is the usual treatment for most cases of salmonella? ›
Because salmonella infection can cause dehydration, treatment focuses on replacing lost fluids and electrolytes — minerals that balance the amount of water in the body. If dehydration is severe, emergency room care or hospitalization may be needed so that fluids can be delivered directly into a vein (intravenous).
How do you treat salmonella at home? ›
How is infection treated? 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.
How long does salmonella stay 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.
How are salmonella outbreaks stopped? ›
Food Safety Steps. Remember to follow the Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill guidelines to help keep you and your family safe from Salmonella. Be especially careful to follow the guidelines when preparing food for young children, people with weakened immune systems, and older adults.
How contagious is Salmonella? ›
If you are infected with salmonella and don't wash your hands thoroughly after a bowel movement, your dirty hands can pass salmonella along in several ways, including: direct contact with another person, touching a surface that someone else then touches, and preparing food that is served raw or undercooked.
What is the first line treatment for Salmonella? ›
Salmonella infections are more commonly treated with ampicillin, fluoroquinolones such as ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin, third-generation cephalosporins such as ceftriaxone, and marcolides.
What is the best drink for Salmonella? ›
How do I manage the symptoms of salmonella?
- Water.
- Sports drinks.
- 100% fruit juices with water added.
- Broth.
- Oral rehydration solutions (like Pedialyte).
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. In some cases, diarrhea can cause severe dehydration and requires prompt medical attention.
What do I eat if I have Salmonella? ›
People with salmonellosis should drink plenty of clear fluids (ex: water, clear juices, soups) to prevent dehydration caused by the diarrhea. Resting and eating easily digested foods (such as bananas, rice and crackers) will help recovery.
You can accidentally eat Salmonella when you: Eat raw or undercooked meat, poultry, and egg products. Drink raw (unpasteurized) milk or eat dairy products that contain raw milk. Eat food contaminated with the feces (poop) of people or animals.
What drug kills Salmonella? ›
Which antibiotics treat salmonella? The first-line treatment for salmonella infections are fluoroquinolones, such as ciprofloxacin, and azithromycin. Third-generation cephalosporins are also effective, and often they are the first antibiotic given if a salmonella infection is suspected but not confirmed.
What fights off Salmonella? ›
Macrophages are a first line of defense against pathogenic bacteria like Salmonella. These immune cells possess a metal-ion transporter called SLC11A1 or NRAMP1, which is involved in infection resistance. Humans with reduced NRAMP1 are more susceptible to various intracellular pathogens.
What is the best medicine for Salmonella? ›
Which antibiotics treat salmonella? The first-line treatment for salmonella infections are fluoroquinolones, such as ciprofloxacin, and azithromycin. Third-generation cephalosporins are also effective, and often they are the first antibiotic given if a salmonella infection is suspected but not confirmed.
What is the treatment course for Salmonella? ›
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.
What is the CDC's recommended treatment for Salmonella? ›
Antibiotic treatment is recommended for: People with severe illness. People with a weakened immune system, such as from HIV infection or chemotherapy treatment. Adults older than 50 who have medical problems, such as heart disease.
What is the most effective defense against Salmonella? ›
Successful immunity against Salmonella infections is dependent on the generation of CD4+ T helper cells and to a lesser extent on antibody production and CD8+ T cells. The cells within the lymphatic tissue of the gut are likely to be central for the orchestration of a proper and rapid response.
