General Information

DEFINITION--A general infection caused by organisms in the salmonella family. A relatively mild Salmonella infection may be mistaken for simple gastroenteritis.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Gastrointestinal tract; lymphatic system.

SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED--Both sexes; all ages.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Diarrhea, often accompanied by abdominal cramps. In mild cases, diarrhea may be only 2 or 3 loose bowel movements a day. In severe cases, it may be watery diarrhea as often as every 10 or 15 minutes.
• Vomiting (occasionally); fever.
• Blood in the stool (sometimes).

CAUSES

• Infection with Salmonella bacteria after eating food such as meat, poultry, raw milk or eggs, or drinking water that contains the bacteria. Salmonella bacteria survive freezing, but thorough cooking kills them. Pet turtles and other animals can also carry Salmonella bacteria.
• Salmonella epidemics often occur when many people eat the same contaminated food at a picnic, social gathering or restaurant. The infection can be transmitted from person to person.

RISK INCREASES WITH

• Recent gastrointestinal illness.
• Crowded or unsanitary living conditions.
• Infancy; old age.
• Immunosuppression due to illness or drugs.
• Anemia or malignancy.

HOW TO PREVENT

• Proper cooking, handling, storage and refrigeration of poultry, meat, eggs, etc. Additional information available from the National Center for Nutrition, (800)366-1655.
• Avoid animals that could be infected.
• Drink only pasteurized milk.
• Wash your hands after bowel movements and before handling food.
• Isolate anyone in the family who has the infection.
• Get medical advice about preventive antibiotics before traveling in countries with unsanitary water and food supplies.

What To Expect

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES--

• Your own observation of symptoms.
• Medical history and exam by a doctor.
• Laboratory stool studies and blood culture.

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE

• Self-care.
• Doctor's treatment, if symptoms continue longer than 48 hours or for complications.
• Hospitalization (rare).

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

• Dehydration from excessive diarrhea and vomiting. Severe dehydration can be fatal, especially in infants and persons over 60.
• Infection of other organs, such as the kidneys, gallbladder, spleen and lungs, from salmonella bacteria in the bloodstream (rare).

PROBABLE OUTCOME--Most salmonella infections are mild and curable with treatment in 24 to 48 hours. Patients with severe infections require hospitalization and isolation. The infection may last 2 to 3 weeks.

How To Treat

GENERAL MEASURES--

• Isolate the ill person, if possible.
• Use a heating pad or hot-water bottle to relieve abdominal cramps.
• If diarrhea is severe, use a bedside commode.

MEDICATION--Medicine is usually not necessary for mild cases. Antidiarrhea medications may retard recovery. For severe cases, your doctor may prescribe antidiarrhea medication, antibiotics to fight infection and intravenous fluids for severe dehydration.

ACTIVITY--Stay in bed, except for trips to the bathroom, until at least 3 days after diarrhea, fever and other symptoms disappear. Then resume normal activities gradually. Flex the legs regularly in bed to prevent formation of blood clots.

DIET--Drink diluted electrolyte solutions, such as Gatorade or Pedialyte, until diarrhea stops. Then eat a high-calorie, well-balanced diet. Vitamin and mineral supplements may be helpful after prolonged illness.

Call Your Doctor If