The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, monitors the frequency of Salmonella infections in the United States and assists local health departments in monitoring outbreaks. Approximately 40,000 cases of salmonellosis are confirmed each year by stool culture. Since many cases are not reported, the CDC estimates that as many as 1.4 million patients are infected with salmonella every year.
Gastroenteritis
Most persons infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection, according to CDC. Most patients recover within four to seven days without treatment. Antibiotics are not usually necessary unless the infection spreads from the intestines. Some patients develop severe diarrhea and become dehydrated, requiring hospitalization for intravenous fluid replacement. Symptoms of dehydration include sunken eyes, dry mouth and tongue, and reduced urine output and tears.
Joint Inflammation
Salmonella infection can spread to the fluid around the joints, causing inflammation that may result in permanent damage, reports the CDC. The bacterial infection in the bowel can also trigger a form of aseptic, or noninfectious, arthritis called reactive arthritis. Symptoms include painful and swollen joints in the knees, ankles and feet; inflammation of the eyes and skin; and painful urination. The symptoms usually come and go, then disappear within 12 months.
Bacteremia
If Salmonella enters the bloodstream, it can infect tissues throughout the body, including those around the brain and spinal cord, the valves or lining of the heart or the bones and bone marrow. Symptoms of bacteremia, also called blood poisoning, include sudden, high fever, rapid heart rate, chills, and nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain. Bacteremia can be fatal unless the patient is treated immediately with antibiotics such as ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or ciprofloxacin. Complications are most serious in children, the elderly and patients with a weakened immune system, according to the CDC.
References
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Salmonellosis
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:Salmonellosis FAQ
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Chronic Sequelae of Foodborne Disease
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Investigation Update: Multistate Outbreak of Human Salmonella Montevideo Infections
