Frequent Symptoms
Symptoms of a gastrointestinal Salmonella infection can begin within six hours and up to four days after you are exposed. The typical incubation period is 12 to 36 hours. You will have symptoms of gastroenteritis (stomach flu).
The typical symptoms usually include:
Watery diarrhea: This is the chief symptom and it usually comes on suddenly. At times, diarrhea can also be bloody or have mucus. Fever: This almost always occurs with this infection, and you may also have chills. Abdominal pain and abdominal cramps: You are likely to have this symptom intermittently.
Less frequent, but fairly common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and headache. Watery diarrhea can lead to further symptoms of dehydration if you don’t drink enough water to keep up with your fluid loss.
These symptoms usually last about four to seven days and often go away without treatment. However, diarrhea can continue for as long as 10 days. After recovery, your bowel habit may be changed and might not return to normal for several months.
Complications
The most frequent complication of salmonellosis is dehydration, and anyone with severe diarrhea or vomiting is at risk, especially if they are not drinking enough water or an electrolyte solution (Pedialyte or sports drinks like Gatorade) to keep up with the fluid loss.
Dehydration is more likely to occur in babies, young children, older adults, and pregnant women.
Common symptoms of dehydration:
Decreased urine productionDry mouthFewer tearsSunken eyes
You may also feel tired, dizzy, weak, confused, and have a headache. Severe dehydration can require emergency treatment and hospitalization.
Invasive Salmonella Infection
The bacteria can enter the bloodstream, where they can then spread to various tissues throughout the body.
Invasive salmonella infection affects about 8% of people who have confirmed salmonellosis. While this number sounds alarming, many people do not see their healthcare provider for milder cases and so their cases are never confirmed (and therefore aren’t counted in this percentage).
Invasive infections can cause:
Meningitis if it infects the brain or spinal cord Osteomyelitis if it infects bones Septic arthritis if it infects a joint
These infections are serious and can be life-threatening.
Antibiotic resistance has been seen for Salmonella species, and this can complicate treatment for invasive infections. Your healthcare provider may need to use powerful antibiotics that can cost more and might have more toxic side effects.
Reactive Arthritis
After recovering from salmonellosis, you have a greater risk of developing reactive arthritis. The infection triggers inflammation that can result in painful joints (especially the knees, ankles, and feet), irritated eyes, or pain when urinating.
This is not common and it tends to affect people age 20 to 40. It usually will resolve in a year.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
You do not need to see your healthcare provider if you have a typical case of salmonellosis without severe symptoms that improve after a few days.
You should see your healthcare provider if you or your child has symptoms of dehydration. Other concerning symptoms that should be checked by your healthcare provider or your child’s pediatrician include a high fever, severe or worsening abdominal pain, or bloody stools.
High-Risk Groups
People in the high-risk groups, which include infants, children under age 5, and the elderly may need medical attention for evaluation and treatment of salmonellosis. Some pediatricians recommend that infants who have symptoms of this infection should always see the healthcare provider.
Other groups at risk of a severe infection or invasive infection include:
Those with a compromised immune system (HIV infection, cancer treatment)People who have sickle cell diseaseAnyone who has had a splenectomyPeople who are taking medications that suppress the stomach acid
Signs of an Emergency
You should get emergency treatment or call 911 if you or your child has these symptoms, which can indicate life-threatening dehydration or the development of invasive salmonella infection:
Difficulty breathingPassing out (fainting)Feel or exhibit confusionFeel very drowsy, have difficulty being woken upHeart rate is rapidStiff neck or seizure (signs of meningitis)
