Salmonellosis is an infection with a bacterium called Salmonella. Most persons infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually last 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 blood stream, and then to other sites and cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics. The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have severe illness.

Salmonella

The Salmonella germ is actually a group of bacteria that can cause diarrheal illness in humans. Salmonella passes from the feces of people or animals to other people or animals. Among the many different kinds of Salmonella bacteria, Salmonella serotype Typhimurium and Salmonella serotype Enteritidis are the most common in the United States.

Diagnosing Salmonellosis

Other illnesses have the same symptoms as Salmonellosis, such as diarrhea, fever, or abdominal cramps. Determining that Salmonella is the cause of the illness depends on laboratory tests that identify it in the stools of an infected person. These tests are sometimes not performed unless the laboratory is instructed specifically to look for Salmonella. Once identified, further testing can determine its specific type, and which antibiotics are used to treat it.

Long-Term Consequences of Salmonellosis

Persons with diarrhea usually recover completely, although it may be several months before their bowel habits are entirely normal. A small number of people who are infected with Salmonella, will go on to develop pains in their joints, irritation of eyes, and painful urination. This is called Reiter's syndrome and can last for months or years, leading to chronic arthritis which is difficult to treat. Antibiotic treatment does not make a difference in whether or not the person later develops arthritis.