The bacterium Salmonella enteritidis is the primary cause of food poisoning from eggs. This bacterium commonly infects the ovaries of hens; their eggs are subsequently contaminated. The feces from infected hens may also contaminate the eggshell. In April 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued new guidelines for egg producers to help reduce and prevent Salmonella contamination. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates one in 50 Americans may be exposed to a Salmonella contaminated egg yearly.
Fever, Chills and Sweating
The overwhelming majority of people with Salmonella food poisoning develop a fever within 12 to 72 hours of ingesting contaminated eggs. Fever is typically 100.4 F to 102.2 F (38 C to 39 C). Chills and sweating often accompany the fever of this illness. The fever usually breaks in two to three days.
Abdominal Cramps
Abdominal cramps typically appear at roughly the same time as the fever from Salmonella food poisoning. Abdominal cramping heralds the onset of diarrhea.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea appears shortly after the onset of abdominal cramps with Salmonella food poisoning. The severity of diarrhea varies from person to person. Some people experience relatively mild diarrhea while others may produce a large volume of watery stool. Uncommonly, blood and mucus may be present in the stool. The diarrhea from Salmonella food poisoning typically lasts from four to seven days. In general, antibiotics are not needed for Salmonella food poisoning; the bacteria are cleared by the body's own defenses.
The CDC reports that people with a weak immune system, such as the elderly, young infants and those living with HIV are more likely to have severe diarrhea than are those with a healthy immune system. People with preexisting inflammatory bowel disease are also prone to severe Salmonella-related diarrhea.
Nausea and Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting may occur with Salmonella food poisoning. Dehydration may develop in people with diarrhea and vomiting. If you experience dizziness upon standing, and have a dry mouth and headache, you may be dehydrated. Call your doctor if you or your child experience these symptoms. She may decide intravenous fluids are needed to restore fluid lost through diarrhea and vomiting.
Headache and Muscle Aches
Salmonella food poisoning may cause headache and muscle aches. Headache may be due to dehydration rather than a symptom of the infection per se. If you are able to keep down medications, an over-the-counter pain reliever may help alleviate these symptoms.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Salmonella Enteritidis
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Prevention of Salmonella Enteritidis in Shell Eggs During Production, Transportation, and Storage
- Mayo Clinic: Salmonella Infection Symptoms
- Merck Manual: Salmonella Infections, Symptoms
- Types of Bacteria: Salmonella Food Poisoning
