$Unique_ID{BRK00689}
$Pretitle{Accidents, Poisoning, and Violence, Infections or Parasites}
$Title{What are the Symptoms of Salmonella Infection?}
$Subject{salmonella nursing home}
$Volume{O-23, A-23}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


What are the Symptoms of Salmonella Infection?


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QUESTION:  There was a recent outbreak of salmonella infection in a nursing
home in our area.  Our mother lives at a similar home and we have been
concerned that it could happen there too.  What are the symptoms we might be
looking out for, can it be prevented and what treatments are available?

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ANSWER:  There are many members of the Salmonella family and over 2200 types
that can react differently to certain serological tests.  Most types produce
an acute gastroenteritis, and therefore the symptoms are those of abdominal
distress.  The symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and sometimes
vomiting.  Fever is usually present.  When both diarrhea and frequent vomiting
is present, dehydration may occur, and must be treated as well, with intra
venous fluids.  When the infection is transmitted by contaminated food, the
first symptoms will occur from 4 to 72 hours after eating that food, with the
average time being 18 hours.  Prevention is most important, and brings us back
to the basic rules of hygiene.  Meticulous hand washing, with soap and warm
water, proper stool disposal, and isolation of infected individuals can reduce
exposure to the bacteria.  Attention to the purity of the water, and the
preparation of food, as well as handling, storage and refrigeration of
poultry, meat and eggs are musts.  Bed clothes should be laundered in hot,
soapy water.  The use of antibiotics, with choramphenicol being the drug of
choice, can greatly reduce the severity and duration of the illness and reduce
the frequency of complications.  Ultimately the diagnosis of salmonella
infections is based upon finding the bacteria in stool cultures, and you must
not panic at the first sign of a mild stomach ache, since not all such
symptoms herald the outbreak of a salmonella infection.  When a salmonella
infection is suspected, however, prompt reporting to the proper health
authorities is essential and can obtain the resources needed to combat the
infection in the most effective manner possible.
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
