What are the symptoms of salmonellosis?
The most common symptoms of salmonellosis include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. Symptoms develop 12 to 72 hours after infection and usually last 4 to 7 days. Most people recover without treatment. Some people may have severe diarrhea and may need to be hospitalized. In these people, the bacteria may spread from the intestines to the blood, and then to other parts of the body. Such infections can cause death if the person is not treated in time with antibiotics. The elderly, infants, and those with weakened immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness. What should I do if I think I have salmonellosis? See your health care provider to discuss your concerns. How is a Salmonella infection diagnosed? Laboratory tests can determine if Salmonella is the cause of illness. These tests will identify the bacteria in the stool samples from an infected person. Sometimes these tests are not performed unless the laboratory is asked specifically to look for the bacteria. Once the b
