An digestive tract infection caused by the salmonella bacteria is known as salmonellosis. Normally found in the intestines of humans and animals, salmonella germs are excreted through stool. The most common ways for humans to get sick are through contaminated food or drink.
When a person has salmonella, they may not have any symptoms. Most persons have cramping in their stomach, fever, and diarrhea 8 to 72 hours after exposure. In most cases, healthy individuals recover without special treatment in a matter of days to weeks.
Diarrhea can occasionally result in severe dehydration, which calls for immediate medical intervention. In the event that the infection travels outside of the intestines, potentially fatal consequences could arise. When visiting nations lacking in safe drinking water and adequate sewage disposal, there is an increased chance of contracting salmonella.
Signs and symptoms
Eating raw or undercooked meat, poultry, eggs, or egg products, as well as drinking unpasteurized milk, are the usual causes of salmonella infection. The interval between exposure and disease, or incubation period, can range from six hours to six days. People infected with salmonella frequently mistakenly believe they have the stomach flu.
Salmonella infection symptoms and indicators could include:
- The diarrhea
- Aabdominal cramps in the stomach
- High temperature
- Emesis
- Throwing Up Chills
- Headache
- Stool containing blood
A salmonella infection often lasts a few days to a week in terms of signs and symptoms. Up to 10 days may pass during diarrhea, but it could take up to several months for the intestines to return to their regular routine.
Some strains of salmonella bacteria cause typhoid fever, a potentially fatal illness that is more prevalent in developing nations.
When to visit a physician
Since most cases of salmonella infection resolve on their own in a few days, most people don’t need to consult a doctor.
However, contact a healthcare professional if the afflicted individual is a newborn, young child, elderly person, or someone with a compromised immune system if illness:
- Extends beyond a few days
- Is linked to bloody stools or a high fever
- Seems to be causing dehydration, as seen by symptoms like darker urine, less frequent urination, and dry lips and tongue.
