What Are the Main Salmonella Poisoning Symptoms?

Salmonella is commonly known as a food-born infection as it is commonly found in contaminated food items. If a person has ingested too much of the bacteria that the body cannot destroy, salmonella poisoning symptoms soon occur.

Salmonella often produces salmonella poisoning symptoms of the gastrointestinal type as salmonella is transmitted via oral-fecal route. When the bacteria attach to the intestinal linings and multiply, they destroy the epithelium, causing a disturbance in food absorption. This problem with food absorption is also due to the presence of motility problems in the intestine, which the person would feel as an upset, grumbling stomach. If you will listen closely, the grumbling can even be audible without the use of a stethoscope.

These changes in the intestines will result to salmonella poisoning symptoms of either constipation or diarrhea. There will also be fever, nausea and vomiting. In severe cases, bloody diarrhea may show because of epithelial lining damage. Headache, anorexia, as well as abdominal distention because of spleen and liver enlargement can also occur later as the bacteria spread throughout the body.

Salmonella poisoning symptoms occur 6-72 hours after ingestion of contaminated food. These are usually undercooked meat and poultry, as well as eggs. Currently, there are several salmonella outbreaks that were traced from peppers on salami or other meat products that come from Daniele International Inc. Other known salmonella outbreaks have also come from peanut butter. There are other sources of Salmonella other than food: pet amphibians and reptiles can harbor the bacteria, and can produce salmonella symptoms if not handled properly. As long as there is water, right temperature, and food, there will always be the risk of Salmonella.

Salmonella poisoning symptoms usually resolve themselves after several hours. In other instances, the salmonella symptoms can last from 4-7 days. Children, the elderly and immunocompromised patients suffer more severe manifestations and must be treated promptly. There are some reported fatalities due to salmonella infection because of massive fluid loss that often result to severe dehydration. Fluid replacement antibiotics, and anti-diarrheal medications help fight the infection as well as resolve the salmonella poisoning symptoms.