Salmonella or Salmonellosis

FoodSalmonella is a type of bacteria that can infect the stomach and intestines and cause mild to severe diarrheal illness. Salmonella can spread from the intestines to blood, bones, or joints, where it can cause severe illness. Serious illness is more common in young children, elderly people, and people with weakened immune systems.

  1. Signs and Symptoms
  2. Treatment
  3. Prevention

Symptoms usually develop 12 to 72 hours after infection. Symptoms typically last 4 to 7 days and can include:

  • Dehydration (fluid loss), especially among infants and the elderly
  • Diarrhea
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Stomach cramps
  • Vomiting

Salmonella illness can be severe in persons with weakened immune systems. 

People with this infection should NOT attend childcare or work as food handlers, healthcare providers or childcare workers until symptoms have stopped.

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