Treatment FAQ

what is salmonella and types of treatment

by Mrs. Daniela Price Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Salmonella infection is diagnosed when a laboratory test detects Salmonella bacteria in a person's poop (stool), body tissue, or fluids. Most people recover without specific treatment. Antibiotics are typically used only to treat people with severe illness. Patients should drink extra fluids as long as diarrhea lasts.Apr 8, 2019

What are the types of Salmonella?

Salmonella is a genus of rod-shaped (bacillus) Gram-negative bacteria of the family Enterobacteriaceae. The two species of Salmonella are Salmonella enterica and Salmonella bongori. S. enterica is the type species and is further divided into six subspecies that include over 2,600 serotypes.

How is Salmonella treated and prevented?

Keep your food preparation areas clean

Keep raw meat and poultry separate from produce and other foods when shopping for and storing groceries. Wash hands, cutting boards, countertops, cutlery, and utensils after handling uncooked poultry. Wash raw fruits and vegetables before eating.

What are the two types of Salmonella?

Salmonella is a gram negative rods genus belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family. Within 2 species, Salmonella bongori and Salmonella enterica, over 2500 different serotypes or serovars have been identified to date.Feb 20, 2018

What are the symptoms and treatment of Salmonella?

Some people with salmonella infection have no symptoms. Most people develop diarrhea, fever and stomach (abdominal) cramps within 8 to 72 hours after exposure. Most healthy people recover within a few days to a week without specific treatment.Apr 29, 2022

Which antibiotics treat Salmonella?

Common first-line oral antibiotics for susceptible Salmonella infections are fluoroquinolones (for adults) and azithromycin (for children). Ceftriaxone is an alternative first-line treatment agent.Feb 21, 2019

What drug kills Salmonella?

Which antibiotics treat salmonella? The first-line treatment for salmonella infections are fluoroquinolones, such as ciprofloxacin, and azithromycin. Third-generation cephalosporins are also effective, and often they are the first antibiotic given if a salmonella infection is suspected but not confirmed.Nov 17, 2021

What is the most common type of Salmonella?

Salmonella Enteritidis
Salmonella Enteritidis, one of the most common serotypes of Salmonella reported worldwide, often linked to eggs. If a fertile egg is contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis, it infects the new chick.

What is the common name for Salmonella?

Enterica, typhoid fever, enteric fever, salmonellosis, food poisoning, gastroenteritis.

What are 3 interesting facts about Salmonella?

Interesting Facts:
  • Most reptiles and amphibians carry Salmonella.
  • Salmonella diseases are zoonotic, spreading from animals to humans, and also from human to human.
  • Salmonella move through their host's intestines via flagella.
  • There are approximately 2,500 different strains of Salmonella.

What causes salmonella infection?

Salmonellosis is an infection with a bacteria called Salmonella, Salmonella live in the intestinal tracts of animals, including birds. Salmonella are usually transmitted to humans by eating foods contaminated with animal feces. Every year, approximately 40,000 cases of salmonellosis are reported in the United States.

Where is Salmonella most commonly found?

Salmonella can be found in a variety of foods, including chicken, beef, pork, eggs, fruits, vegetables, and even processed foods. Some people are more likely to get an infection and serious illness. You can take steps to prevent infection, such as following the clean, separate, cook, and chill guidelines.Sep 2, 2021

What can Salmonella do?

They generally cause diarrhea. Salmonella can also cause typhoid fever. It can spread to other parts of the body. Symptoms of a salmonella infection usually include diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps, chills, headache, nausea, or vomiting.

Do antibiotics work against salmonella?

Certain antibiotics do not work against some of these types. If the sick person goes to the doctor, the doctor may order additional lab tests on the bacteria in the stool sample to identify the type of salmonella. This information will help the doctor decide what antibiotic to use if that person needs treatment.

How many different types of salmonella are there?

There are more than 2,000 different types of salmonella bacteria that cause people to get sick. Certain antibiotics do not work against some of these types. If the sick person goes to the doctor, the doctor may order additional lab tests on the bacteria in the stool sample to identify the type of salmonella.

How many cases of salmonella are there in the US each year?

The US Centers for Disease Control gets about 42,000 reports of salmonella each year. Experts there believe the total number of cases actually may be more than 1.2 million. Salmonella is more common in the summer than the winter.

How long does salmonella last?

Salmonella is more common in the summer than the winter. Salmonella usually is a brief illness with stomach cramps and diarrhea that lasts four to seven days. In some people, the diarrhea can be severe or last longer. In general, children are more likely to get salmonella than other age groups.

How does Salmonella get into the body?

A person can get infected with Salmonella by: Eating undercooked foods contaminated with animal feces. Cooking food destroys Salmonella.

What foods can cause salmonella?

Foods that contain raw eggs also are a risk (like cookie dough or homemade mayonnaise). Milk and unwashed, raw vegetables and fruit also can carry Salmonella.

Can raw eggs cause salmonella?

Foods that contain raw eggs also are a risk (like cookie dough or homemade mayonnaise). Milk and unwashed, raw vegetables and fruit also can carry Salmonella. Eating food prepared on surfaces that were in contact with raw meat (such as a cutting board, or countertop). Eating foods contaminated with human feces.

How is salmonella diagnosed?

Related Pages. Salmonella infection is diagnosed when a laboratory test detects Salmonella bacteria in a person’s poop (stool), body tissue, or fluids. Most people recover without specific treatment. Antibiotics are typically used only to treat people with severe illness.

Can Salmonella cause death?

In rare cases, infection may spread from the intestines to the bloodstream, and then to other parts of the body. In these people, Salmonella can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics. Page last reviewed: April 8, 2019.

How many people die from salmonellosis each year?

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that approximately 450 persons in the United States die each year from acute salmonellosis.

Can salmonellosis cause diarrhea?

Most people with salmonellosis develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. More severe cases of salmonellosis may include a high fever, aches, headaches, lethargy, a rash, blood in the urine or stool, and in some cases may become fatal.

Who is more likely to get salmonellosis?

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.

What foods are linked to salmonellosis?

Past U.S. outbreaks of salmonellosis have been associated with meat products, poultry products, raw or undercooked eggs and dough, dairy products, fruits, leafy greens, raw sprouts, fresh vegetables, nut butters and spreads, pet foods and treats.

Can salmonella be spread to people?

Salmonella can also spread from animals to people . People who have direct contact with certain animals, including poultry and reptiles, can spread the bacteria from the animals to food if they do not practice proper hand washing hygiene before handling food.

How long does it take for salmonella to show symptoms?

Most people infected with Salmonella will begin to develop symptoms 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness, salmonellosis, usually lasts four to seven days and most people recover without treatment.

How to sanitize food?

In the event that retailers and/or other food service operators are found to have handled recalled or other potentially contaminated food in their facilities, they should: 1 Contact their local health department and communicate to their customers regarding possible exposure to Salmonella. 2 Wash the inside walls and shelves of the refrigerator, cutting boards and countertops, and utensils that may have contacted contaminated foods; then sanitize them with a solution of one tablespoon of chlorine bleach to one gallon of hot water; dry with a clean cloth or paper towel that has not been previously used. 3 Wash and sanitize display cases and surfaces used to potentially store, serve, or prepare potentially contaminated foods. 4 Wash hands with warm water and soap following the cleaning and sanitation process. 5 Conduct regular frequent cleaning and sanitizing of cutting boards and utensils used in processing to help minimize the likelihood of cross-contamination.

How to diagnose salmonella?

Diagnostic and Public Health Testing 1 Infection is diagnosed when a laboratory test detects Salmonella bacteria in stool, body tissue, or fluids. The test could be a culture that isolates the bacteria or a culture-independent diagnostic test (CIDT) that detects genetic material of the bacteria.#N#CDC encourages laboratories to culture specimens with positive CIDT results. This process is called “reflex culturing.” 2 Clinical diagnostic laboratories report the test results to the doctor and submit Salmonella isolates to state public health laboratories for serotyping and DNA fingerprinting. 3 Public health laboratories report the results to CDC’s Laboratory-based Enteric Disease Surveillance and to PulseNet. 4 Public health laboratories forward unusual serotypes to CDC’s National Salmonella Reference Laboratory for further characterization or confirmation.

How are salmonella serotypes divided?

Salmonella are divided into serotypes according to structures on the their surface. Some serotypes are only found in one kind of animal or in a single place. Others are found in many different animals and all over the world. A few serotypes can cause especially severe illnesses; most typically cause milder illnesses.

Why is it important to take antibiotics for salmonella?

Recent use of antibiotics. This can reduce the number of "good" bacteria in your intestines, which may impair your ability to fight off a salmonella infection.

How long does salmonella last?

Signs and symptoms of salmonella infection generally last two to seven days. Diarrhea may last up to 10 days, although it may take several months before bowels return to normal. A few varieties of salmonella bacteria result in typhoid fever, a sometimes deadly disease that is more common in developing countries.

Where does Salmonella live?

Salmonella bacteria typically live in animal and human intestines and are shed through feces. Humans become infected most frequently through contaminated water or food.

How long does it take for salmonella to go away?

Typically, people with salmonella infection have no symptoms. Others develop diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps within eight to 72 hours. Most healthy people recover within a few days without specific treatment.

How do you get salmonella?

Most people are infected with salmonella by eating foods that have been contaminated by feces. Commonly infected foods include: Raw meat, poultry and seafood. Feces may get onto raw meat and poultry during the butchering process. Seafood may be contaminated if harvested from contaminated water.

Can chickens have salmonella?

While an egg's shell may seem to be a perfect barrier to contamination, some infected chickens produce eggs that contain salmonella before the shell is even formed. Raw eggs are used in homemade versions of mayonnaise and hollandaise sauce. Fruits and vegetables.

What are the factors that increase the risk of salmonella?

Factors that may increase your risk of salmonella infection include activities that may bring you into closer contact with salmonella bacteria and health problems that may weaken your resistance to infection in general.

Can antibiotics kill salmonella?

Antibiotics can kill “good” bacteria in your body and make an infection harder to fight. Inflammatory bowel disease. This can damage the lining of your intestines, making it easier for salmonella to take hold. Most of the signs and symptoms of a salmonella infection are stomach -related.

What is the cause of salmonella?

Salmonella Causes. People and animals can carry salmonella in their intestines and their feces. The bacteria often spread through contaminated foods. Common food sources of salmonella infection include: Raw and undercooked meat, including chicken, turkey, duck, beef, veal, and pork. Raw fruits or vegetables.

How to keep salmonella away from food?

Salmonella can hide in a variety of foods, but you can do a lot of things to help ensure the bacteria stay away: Don’t eat raw or barely cooked eggs or meat. Don’t eat or drink anything with unpasteurized milk or juice. Don’t wash raw poultry, meat, or eggs before cooking.

What is the most common source of salmonella?

Common food sources of salmonella infection include: Raw and undercooked meat, including chicken, turkey, duck, beef, veal, and pork. Raw fruits or vegetables.

How do you get salmonella?

Common food sources of salmonella infection include: You can also get salmonella directly through: Poor handwashing. You might pass along the bacteria by not washing your hands well after using the bathroom or changing a diaper. Pets. Animals like dogs, cats, birds, and reptiles can carry the bacteria.

What are the risk factors for salmonella?

Salmonella Risk Factors. Children, especially those under 5, are more likely than adults to get sick from salmonella. Older adults and people with weak immune systems are also more likely to be infected. Other risk factors include: International travel. Salmonella is more common in places with poor sanitation.

Can children get salmonella?

Children, especially those under 5, are more likely than adults to get sick from salmonella. Older adults and people with weak immune systems are also more likely to be infected. Other risk factors include:

How to get rid of salmonella in adults?

Since salmonella infections can cause vomiting and diarrhea, it’s important to stay hydrated as best you can. 1  If you’re an adult, increase your fluid intake of water, broths, sports drinks, caffeine-free drinks, or fruit juices.

How to recover from salmonella?

Many people recover from salmonella infection with a combination of rest and maintaining adequate fluid intake. Try to lighten your load and get plenty of rest until symptoms subside so that your body can heal.

Can salmonella cause diarrhea?

Since salmonella infections can cause vomiting and diarrhea, it’s important to stay hydrated as best you can. 1 If you’re an adult, increase your fluid intake of water, broths, sports drinks, caffeine-free drinks, or fruit juices. If your nausea is substantial, you may find that beverages are difficult to drink.

Does immodium help with salmonella?

In some cases, antidiarrheal medications, like Immodium, might decrease the abdominal discomfort associated with salmonella. But this type of medication has some drawbacks, according to the Mayo Clinic. Antidiarrheals may extend the length of time you experience diarrhea from the infection. 3 

Can probiotics help with salmonella?

In 2013, a team of microbiologists from the University of California, Irvine found that a probiotic strain originally used to treat the symptoms of irritable bowel may soothe gut infections caused by salmonella. 4  The probiotic known to be helpful is a strain of E. coli called Nissle 1917. Researchers indicated this probiotic strain was only available in Germany. However, 2018 findings suggest this beneficial bacteria can be found in the U.S. market as well—though availability of it is limited.

Can salmonella be antibiotic resistant?

Because infections like salmonella can become antibiotic-resistant, there’s a need to conduct studies in the complementary alternative medicine realm of healthcare. But to date, no research has been conducted on humans in this medical subset.

Can you get salmonella without treatment?

Most people who get salmonella recover without specific treatment. In severe cases, antibiotics may be needed to clear the infection. Because salmonella can be severely dehydrating, typical treatment is focused on replacing fluids and electrolytes lost to diarrhea.

Can salmonella be treated without treatment?

Fortunately, most salmonella cases only infect intestinal tissues and clear up without treatment after a few days of diarrhea. For most salmonella cases, the primary threat is dehydration and loss of electrolytes.

How to diagnose salmonella?

How is salmonella diagnosed? 1 Eating food that has been prepared in poor hygienic conditions 2 Eating undercooked or raw meats, raw eggs, unpasteurized dairy products, or uncooked foods that have come in contact with raw meat 3 Not washing hands after handling or cleaning up after pets 4 Having low levels of stomach acid due to illness or medications (acid reducers), 5 Antibiotic therapy or gastrointestinal surgery that has killed or altered the native population of bacteria in the intestines 6 Impaired immunity due to illness, medications, or age, such as young children or the elderly

How many people get salmonella each year?

Over a billion people pick up a salmonella infection each year, and almost one and a half million of those folks live in the United States. Fortunately, most salmonella cases only infect intestinal tissues and clear up without treatment after a few days of diarrhea.

What is the primary threat of salmonella?

For most salmonella cases, the primary threat is dehydration and loss of electrolytes. However, the typhoid strains of Salmonella (Salmonella enterica variants—typhi and paratyphi) easily make their way through intestinal tissues, invade the body, and cause typhoid fever, one of the deadliest infectious diseases on the planet.

What is the name of the disease that causes transient intestinal infections?

Non-typhoidal salmonella , or NTS, usually causes transient intestinal infections that, on rare occasions, may sometimes progress to a system-wide infection. In the United States, salmonella almost always refers to non-typhoidal salmonella, so we’ll focus on that disease with an occasional reference to typhoid fever.

What is the name of the infection that causes diarrhea?

A Salmonella infection, called salmonellosis, is always a prime suspect when a patient has diarrhea and fever. Healthcare providers only diagnose salmonella when they’ve confirmed the presence of Salmonella in the patient’s stools, urine, or blood.

What are the risk factors for salmonella?

Considering all those hurdles, the risk factors for salmonella infection are. Eating food that has been prepared in poor hygienic conditions. Eating undercooked or raw meats, raw eggs, unpasteurized dairy products, or uncooked foods that have come in contact with raw meat.

How many types of salmonella are there?

There are many types of salmonella — as many as 2,500 have been categorized, the CDC reports — but only just under 100 types are known to cause infections in humans. Most of these cause gastrointestinal illness, but other types, such as Salmonella typhi and Salmonella paratyphi, which are not common in the United States, ...

What is salmonella in food?

Copy Link. Medically Reviewed. Salmonella is a group of bacteria that commonly cause foodborne illness. An infection by the bacteria is called salmonellosis (or salmonella for short), and you can get it by consuming contaminated food products including raw poultry, eggs, beef, and in some cases fruits and vegetables.

Can salmonella be found in raw poultry?

Medically Reviewed. Salmonella is a group of bacteria that commonly cause foodborne illness. An infection by the bacteria is called salmonellosis (or salmonella for short), and you can get it by consuming contaminated food products including raw poultry, egg s, beef, and in some cases fruits and vegetables.

How do you get salmonella?

An infection by the bacteria is called salmonellosis (or salmonella for short), and you can get it by consuming contaminated food products including raw poultry, eggs, beef, and in some cases fruits and vegetables. You can also get salmonella by handling pets — particularly some birds and reptiles.

Can you get salmonella from pets?

You can also get salmonella by handling pets — particularly some birds and reptiles. Salmonella infections are extremely common — the bacteria causes more than a million infections in the United States each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

How long does it take for Salmonella to show symptoms?

Symptoms typically begin sometime between six hours to six days after exposure to the bacteria (though it can take several weeks for some people to develop symptoms), according to the CDC.

What foods can cause salmonella?

1. Eating food or drinking water that has been contaminated with animal feces, such as: Undercooked beef, poultry, or fish (cooking destroys salmonella) Raw eggs or products containing uncooked eggs, such as cookie dough. Raw or unpasteurized dairy or dairy products such as milk. Raw vegetables or fruit.

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Overview

  • 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 feces. Humans become infected most frequently through contaminated water or food.Typically, people with salmonella infection have no symptoms. Others develop diarrhea, fever and abdomi…
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Treatment

  • Because salmonella infection can be dehydrating, treatment focuses on replacing fluids and electrolytes. Severe cases may require hospitalization and fluids delivered directly into a vein (intravenous). In addition, your doctor may recommend: 1. Anti-diarrheals. Medications such as loperamide (Imodium A-D) can help relieve cramping, but they may also prolong the diarrhea ass…
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  • Salmonella gastroenteritis is usually a self-limiting disease. Fluid and electrolyte replacement may be indicated in severe cases. Because antibiotics do not appear to shorten the duration of symptoms and may actually prolong the duration of convalescent carriage, they are not routinely used to treat uncomplicated nontyphoidal Salmonella gastroenteritis. Current recommendation…
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  • Typhoidal Salmonella typhi infections cause typhoid fever. Someone with typhoid fever will need to take antibiotics. It is important to take the full round of antibiotics and not stop just because you begin to feel betterthis disease is notorious for being passed to others after a person's symptoms decline. We will describe the symptoms and treatment for typhoid more completely l…
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  • Salmonella infections usually resolve in 5-7 days and often do not require treatment other than oral fluids. Persons with severe diarrhea may require rehydration with intravenous fluids. Antibiotics, such as ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, or ciprofloxacin, are not usually necessary unless the infection spreads from the intestines. Some Salmonella bacteria have bec…
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Prevention

  • You may reach for antibacterial soap to keep your family safe from harm. Killing more bacteria has got to keep them safer, right? Not necessarily, according to the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA says there is no evidence washing up with plain soap and water is any less effective at preventing illness. The vaccines are not 100% effective, though. If you are traveling to an area w…
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  • The Department of Agriculture has created a Salmonella Action Plan, which involves updating the poultry slaughter inspection system and enhancing sampling and testing programs for poultry and meat. The plan's purpose is to cut the number of salmonella infections in the United States.You can also take care to avoid spreading bacteria to others. Preventive methods are especially imp…
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  • 1. Cook poultry, ground beef, and eggs thoroughly. Do not eat or drink foods containing raw eggs or raw (unpasteurized) milk. 2. If you are served undercooked meat, poultry, or eggs in a restaurant, do not hesitate to send it back to the kitchen for further cooking. 3. Wash hands, kitchen work surfaces, and utensils with soap and water immediately after they have been in co…
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Symptoms

  • Salmonella symptoms vary depending on the type of Salmonella that has caused the infection. Most Salmonella infections lead to problems with digestion known as gastroenteritis, though some strains of the bacteria can cause typhoid fever. For most infected people, symptoms develop from 12 hours to three days after eating food containing the bacteria. Symptoms often i…
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  • Salmonella infection is usually caused by eating raw or undercooked meat, poultry, eggs or egg products. The incubation period ranges from several hours to two days. Most salmonella infections can be classified as stomach flu (gastroenteritis). Possible signs and symptoms include: 1. Nausea 2. Vomiting 3. Abdominal cramps 4. Diarrhea 5. Fever 6. Chills 7. Headache 8…
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  • Most persons infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most persons recover without treatment. However, in some persons the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. In these patients, the Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the bl…
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Diagnosis

  • Salmonella infection can be detected by testing a sample of your stool. However, most people have recovered from their symptoms by the time the test results return.If your doctor suspects that you have a salmonella infection in your bloodstream, he or she may suggest testing a sample of your blood for the bacteria.
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Causes

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Salmonella poisoning can infect people in one of two ways. It is most often spread from animals to people through the food supply. This is how the bacteria can cause the nauseating disease gastroenteritis. Typhoid-causing Salmonella, however, is usually spread from person to person. Salmonella infections are usually caused b…
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  • Salmonella bacteria live in the intestines of people, animals and birds. Most people are infected with salmonella by eating foods that have been contaminated by feces. Commonly infected foods include: 1. Raw meat, poultry and seafood. Feces may get onto raw meat and poultry during the butchering process. Seafood may be contaminated if harvested from contaminated water. 2. Ra…
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Medical Uses

  • Azithromycin is likely to be the preferred empirical treatment, often given together with ceftriaxone, in developed countries where chloramphenicol is usually reserved for life-threatening situations, for which no alternatives are available, and physicians are reluctant to use fluoroquinolones in children and lack easy access to gatifloxacin. [39] In an endemic area such a…
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  • If they are as successful in humans as they have been in mice, these engineered cells could have further medical uses beyond cancer treatment. They could be programmed to release drugs at predictable times, which could help people with common ailments like diabetes and high blood pressure.
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Preparing For Your Appointment

  • Most people don't need to seek medical attention for a salmonella infection because it clears up on its own within a few days. However, in cases involving infants, young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems, call your doctor if the illness lasts more than a few days, is associated with high fever or bloody stools, or appears to be causing dehydration.If you make …
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Lifestyle And Home Remedies

  • Even if you don't need medical attention for your salmonella infection, you need to take care not to dehydrate, a common concern with diarrhea and vomiting. Adults should drink water or suck on ice chips. For children, you can use an oral rehydration solution, such as Pedialyte, unless your doctor advises otherwise.
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Epidemiology

  • Although uncommon in the United States, resistance to quinolone antibiotics among typhoidal and nontyphoidal salmonellae is increasingly common elsewhere. In one 22-year surveillance study in Spain, the prevalence of nalidixic acid resistance increased almost 80-fold to 38.5%.
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  • Foodborne diseases as a whole infect 550 million people each year. According to the German government, Salmonella infections account for about 90 percent of foodborne infections in recent years. The CDC estimates that approximately 1.2 million illnesses occur due to nontyphoidal Salmonella per year in the US. According to the World Health Organization, most cases of Salmo…
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