Learning the Basics: Food Poisoning Signs and Symptoms of Salmonella

There are many causes of food poisoning such as E. Coli, E. Botulism and others. Salmonella is also a common cause of food poisoning. Actually, salmonella food poisoning is second in rank food-borne gastrointestinal disease. One of the most recent situations regarding these bacteria is the peanut butter incident in the early 2009 where peanut butter products were withdrew from supermarket shelves as they were found to be contaminated with salmonella.

Salmonella food poisoning occurs when you have ingested something that was contaminated with the bacteria. Usually, these are present in undercooked pig and chicken meat, uncooked eggs, unsafe water or some food that has been tainted with the bacteria due to improper handling. Moreover, reptiles such as crocodile and turtle carry these bacteria in their skin. It takes about 6 – 72 hours from the time the tainted food had been ingested to the time that the first symptoms occur. That is what you call incubation period.



Anyway, symptoms of salmonella food poisoning are stomach cramping, chills, vomiting, loss of appetite, fever and of course, diarrhea. Loose bowel movement can be bloody, mucoid, voluminous, or otherwise. The severity and the length of time these symptoms are experienced differently from case to case basis. The diarrhea associated with salmonella food poisoning may last for one to three days but there have been reports on nonspecific symptoms to lasts up to a week. Usually though, they say these are experienced three to seven days.



The thing to be watched on someone suffering salmonella food poisoning is dehydration. This is especially important for children, older adults ageing 60 and above and those with compromised immune systems. For some patients, diarrhea and vomiting is so severe that they have to be admitted in the hospital to replace the salt and fluid that is lost inappropriately. Dehydration may be experienced hours after the onset of the first symptoms of salmonella food poisoning. This complication due to fast loss of fluid in the body may be recognized with the victim verbalizing that he is always thirsty, his skin becomes leathery and wrinkled.

For healthy victims of this food poisoning, the signs and symptoms of salmonella infection can go away on their own without the aid of medication or intravenous solutions. However, if dehydration strikes, the victims need to be admitted to a hospital for rehydration and monitoring. Surely, you have heard people going into shock and even death just because of dehydration so there is really a need for this to be addressed.



To avoid the fuss of suffering vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramping and fever just because of salmonella food poisoning, you have to be very careful of the food and water you take. Be sure that your food and drinks come from safe places.

The all time favorite prevention which is hand washing before eating is also effective in preventing salmonella food poisoning. However, disposing cracked and “old” eggs also helps. Ensuring that your food is well cooked is safer than going for the half-thingy.