Salmonella poisoning is usually caused by ingestion of food or drink contaminated with salmonella bacteria. This can cause fever, diarrhea and stomach cramps. Symptoms can occur within 2-48 hours and last up to 7 days. In general, these bacteria will disappear on their own, but complications can arise in some rare cases. See step one to learn how to treat and prevent salmonella poisoning.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Diagnosing Salmonella Poisoning
Step 1. Identify symptoms
Salmonella infections usually occur due to eating raw eggs or meat products that are contaminated with bacteria. There is an incubation period of several hours to 2 days, followed by several symptoms that can generally be classified as gastroenteritis, inflammation of the stomach or intestines. The following are common symptoms that occur due to salmonella infection:
- Gag
- Nauseous
- Diarrhea
- Chills
- Fever
- Headache
- Blood in feces
Step 2. Know when it's time to see a doctor
Although salmonella generally does not pose a high health risk, individuals with weakened immune systems such as people with AIDS, sickle cell disease or inflammatory bowel disease are at increased risk of complications from salmonella poisoning. Children and the elderly are also likely to experience serious complications. If the symptoms do not subside and the person is in a high risk group, it is advisable to visit a doctor immediately. You should seek medical attention immediately if you or a person you are concerned about experiences any of the following:
- Dehydration, causing decreased urine and tear production, dry mouth, and sunken eyes.
- Symptoms of bacteremia, a condition in which salmonella enters the bloodstream and infects body tissues in the brain, spinal cord, liver and bone marrow. Sudden high fever, chills, rapid heart rate and excessive pain are symptoms of this disease.
Step 3. Perform a salmonella infection test
Your doctor will assess your symptoms and the general advice is to drink more and rest until the symptoms go away - in most cases, this will happen after a while. If the doctor says it is necessary to run a test, a stool sample will be tested to see if it contains salmonella.
- Your doctor may decide to do a blood test to determine if bacteremia has occurred.
- Your doctor may also give you antibiotics if the salmonella infection has spread beyond your digestive system.
- If dehydration becomes severe enough, the patient may need to be hospitalized to take intravenous fluids.
Part 2 of 3: Treating it
Step 1. Drink more fluids, especially water
Fluid loss due to vomiting and diarrhea puts you at risk of dehydration. It is important to replace lost fluids and electrolytes with water, herbal teas, juices and broths. Even if drinking doesn't taste good, it's the best way to keep your body energized and get through the worst of the symptoms.
- Try eating popsicles, ice chips or sorbets as a way to get water and sugar into your system.
- Drink plenty of water, especially after bouts of severe vomiting and diarrhea.
- Children can drink a rehydration solution such as Pedialyte to restore fluids and electrolytes.
Step 2. Take anti-diarrhea medicine
loperamide (Imodium A-D) can help relieve cramps from salmonella associated with diarrhea. But these drugs can also prolong the diarrhea itself.
Step 3. Eat bland foods while recovering from a salmonella infection
Salty or spicy foods can irritate your already sensitive digestive system. Also avoid fatty foods that can irritate your digestive tract.
Step 4. Use a heating pad or warm compress
Place it on your stomach to reduce cramping. A hot bottle of water, or a warm bath will also help.
Step 5. Rest and give your body time to recover
Doing a lot of work can slow down recovery time. Your body will naturally fight off salmonella and recover faster if you don't put too much pressure on it. Take a few days off from work or school if you are still experiencing vomiting and diarrhea.
Part 3 of 3: Preventing Possible Infections
Step 1. Cook animal products thoroughly
Do not eat foods or drinks that contain unpasteurized milk or raw eggs. This is the most common way salmonella is spread. Feel free to re-cook undercooked meat, poultry or eggs in the kitchen when you buy food outside.
- Salmonella is most commonly found in animal products, but vegetables can also be contaminated. Make sure you wash all the vegetables before cooking them.
- Wash your hands and work surfaces after contact with raw poultry, meat or eggs.
Step 2. Wash your hands after handling animals or their droppings
This is another common way how salmonella can be spread. Healthy reptiles and birds can carry salmonella in their bodies, as can cat and dog feces. Make sure you wash your hands with soap every time you handle animals or their droppings.
Step 3. Do not allow small children to handle reptiles and chicks
Chicks, lizards and turtles for example, each of them carry salmonella on their faces. Small children who come into contact with one of these animals may have salmonella. Since infection is more difficult for a child's immune system to develop than an adult's, it is best to prevent children from getting close to animals that could contaminate them.
Tips
- Wash your hands after using the bathroom to reduce the chance of contracting or carrying salmonella bacteria.
- Avoid the risk of salmonella poisoning by not eating undercooked or undercooked meat, poultry or eggs and washing your hands thoroughly after handling raw meat.
- It is preferable to use gloves when handling reptiles or amphibians and/or their environment. Make sure you wash your hands if you're not wearing gloves.
- Make sure you always eat cooked eggs, raw eggs can cause salmonella.
Warning
- When you become infected with salmonella, you become a carrier and can transmit it, until you are completely free of the infection.
- Watch out for cross-contamination from equipment used to handle raw meat and poultry and your food work area.
- Do not store fresh fruit and vegetables near raw meat because the juices from the meat can contaminate the fruit and vegetables, and increase the risk of transferring salmonella bacteria.
