Salmonella infection (salmonellosis) is a common bacterial disease that affects the intestinal tract. Salmonella bacteria typically live in animal and human intestines and are shed through faeces. Humans become infected most frequently through contaminated water or food.

Because salmonella can be severely dehydrating, typical treatment is focused on replacing fluids and electrolytes lost to diarrhea. If dehydration is severe, fluids may be delivered intravenously (into a vein) in a hospital. When the safety of drinking water is questionable, boil it or if this is not possible, disinfect it with a reliable, slow-release disinfectant agent (usually available at pharmacies).

How is Salmonellosis Prevented?

Pets and child care is an important source of Salmonella infection. Reptiles and amphibians are a known source of Salmonella transmission to humans. After handling these animals, individuals should wash their hands. There should be no food or drink in areas where animal handling occurs. These pets should not be found in child care centers or should be inaccessible to children less than five years of age. Patients with immunocompromised states should not be handling reptiles and amphibians. Children infected with Salmonella may return to school and daycare centers once symptoms like diarrhea have resolved. In Salmonella typhi or paratyphi 3, negative stool cultures have to be documented before the child is allowed to return to school. Children younger than five, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe salmonellosis infections. Learn more about People at Risk of Foodborne Illness. Foods Linked to U.S. Outbreaks of Salmonellosis For information about what to eat and drink during a Salmonella infection, see our separate leaflet called Gastroenteritis. Salmonella infections are very common. When people mention food poisoning, they’re usually talking about salmonella. Tens of millions of cases are reported around the world every year. antibiotic therapy is indicated only in high-risk children to reduce the risk of bacteremia and extraintestinal focal infections

Yes, especially in young children and the elderly. Most often, salmonellosis is characterized by nausea and vomiting within 8-48 hours of ingestion. Shortly thereafter, the patient will experience abdominal pain, cramps or diarrhea. The diarrhea may vary from a few loose stools to profuse watery stools or, rarely, dysentery (bloody stools). Patients may have moderate fevers (up to 102° F) and occasional chills. an outbreak in the adult herd. This typically happens when the entire herd is stressed at one time, such as during a hot spell, or when exposed to an overwhelming common source of the organism, such as heavily contaminated feed or a flooded barnyard. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Eating, diet, & nutrition for diarrhea. Movement of animals around the farm should be restricted to limit infection to the smallest group. Random mixing of animals should be avoided.

Key facts

This is so that the business can be investigated by environmental health officers and further actions may be taken if there is a problem with their food hygiene practices. Clean your pet’s bed, cage, terrarium, or aquarium and its contents (such as food and water bowls) outdoors. If you must clean your pet’s habitat indoors, use a bathtub or large sink that can be cleaned and disinfected. Avoid using a kitchen sink, if possible. Call an FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator if you wish to speak directly to a person about your problem. It is best to have separate cutting boards designated for raw meat and for produce as cleaning may not remove all of the bacteria.