What to do when symptoms of Salmonella and food poisoning signs appear

Salmonella food poisoning is a gastrointestinal disturbance that is caused by bacteria which is called “Salmonella”.



With the gastrointestinal tract under attack, a person who ate food tainted with this causative agent feels nauseated and experiences vomiting, watery and maybe bloody stools, painful abdominal cramping, fever and probably dizziness. These symptoms last for three to seven days and it will go away on its own if you are a healthy human being that has enough strength or defense against invading microorganisms. However, children, those over 60 years old and those with compromised immune defenses (people who have AIDS, cancer, leukemia, and those who underwent organ transplant) have to deal with salmonella food poisoning harder. The signs and symptoms of salmonella can be handled by the body without the help of antibiotics. However, these have to be managed to assist the body in its fight against microorganisms.



Untreated vomiting and diarrhea of if these are left alone to do damage, they can dehydrate the body. Dehydration is actually the worse thing that can happen because of salmonella food poisoning. This is due to the fact that there is unnecessary loss of fluids with the passage of loose watery stools and vomiting of ingested foods and fluids. These signs and symptoms even happen frequently which means that if the body is not rehydrated as fast as it is dehydrated, then it has to suffer the consequences which can lead to shock.

To state it directly, somebody diagnosed with salmonella food poisoning (actually all of those undergoing diarrhea and vomiting), should drink water, soups, juices and sports drinks because electrolytes are also lost during these episodes.

The nausea on the other hand can be managed by offering the sick person with small servings of easily digestible food frequently. Do not overwhelm the digestive tract with large amounts of fatty foods just because the symptoms of salmonella are gone. Giving offering saltine crackers are also recommended.

Painful abdominal cramping can be managed by warm compress over the abdomen. High body temperature can be lowered with a tepid sponge bath or an acetaminophen. Injuries due to dizziness can be prevented by raising side rails of the bed. You should also assist the patient with mobility and advise her to sit in the bed for awhile before standing up. If possible, position the client near the comfort room for easier access to the CR.

Aside from addressing the signs and symptoms of salmonella, an antibiotic may be prescribed if the patient is severely dehydrated and or the infection spread out of the gastrointestinal tract. Moreover, there are home remedies that people insist on being effective against salmonella food poisoning. Such of these is by the use of the extract of Chaerophyllum leaves. All you have to do is boil 5 to 10 leaves in one cup of water for about 30 minutes. Drink about 20 ml of this solution two times a day. Cherophyllum extract is a known herbal antibacterial medicine which is why it is effective against salmonella food poisoning.