Salmonella infection is caused by a bacteria that typically lives in the intestines of animals and humans. The Mayo Clinic explains that humans become infected through contaminated water or food, including peanut butter. The contamination occurs when salmonella bacteria is shed through the feces of an animal or human and the fecal matter makes its way into the peanut butter. The peanut butter does not show any visible signs of contamination. The Mayo Clinic indicates that symptoms of salmonella poisoning typically appear within 12 to 72 hours of consuming the contaminated peanut butter.
Gastroenteritis
The primary symptom of salmonella infection is diarrhea. Abdominal cramping with watery and frequent stools can last between four and seven days, as indicated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Other symptoms of gastroenteritis that can be caused by salmonella include nausea, vomiting and sometimes blood in the stools.
Fever
A mild to moderate fever may appear for one or more days during salmonella infection. Chills, headache and muscle pains can accompany the fever, the Mayo Clinic explains.
Complications
The CDC indicates that salmonella poisoning that spreads beyond the intestines can lead to life-threatening complications. Persistent diarrhea paired with a fever can lead to dehydration. Symptoms of mild dehydration, as indicated by the CDC, include thirst, infrequent urges to urinate, small urine amounts, urine that is dark in color, dry mouth, dry tongue, lack of tear production and/or sunken eyes. Dehydration can occur in any individual but infants, children, the elderly and individuals with existing health concerns may be more susceptible, explains the CDC.
Bacteremia is a complication of salmonella infection that occurs when the bacteria enters the bloodstream. The Mayo Clinic describes the symptoms of this complication as swelling or infection of the tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord, the heart lining or valves, and/or the bones or bone marrow.
A third complication of salmonella infection is the development of reactive arthritis. Symptoms of this health concern include eye irritation, painful urination and/or painful joints, according to the Mayo Clinic.
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