Salmonella is a type of bacteria that commonly causes food-borne illnesses. Salmonella can infect people who eat raw or undercooked eggs, as well as certain kinds of poultry, peanut products, and fruits and vegetables that have become contaminated. Salmonella can also be contracted from animals, particularly reptiles. In general, a salmonella infection causes gastrointestinal problems, but it can also cause serious complications.
Dehydration
Dehydration is one of the more common complications of a salmonella infection. This is typically a result of the cumulative effects of some of the symptoms of salmonellosis; namely, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. These symptoms can lead to dehydration through a combination of fluid loss (vomiting and diarrhea) and a lack of fluid intake (from the nausea) can deplete the patient's fluid reserves. This can lead to severe thirst, low blood volume (hypovolemia) that can cause low blood pressure, as well as electrolyte imbalances (such as abnormal amounts of potassium and calcium) that can lead to the development of kidney stones as well as cause muscle twitching.
Reiter's
According to Medscape, another potential complication of a salmonella infection is a condition called Reiter's syndrome, a type of arthritis that develops after a bacterial infection (which is the reason why it is also termed reactive arthritis). Reiter's syndrome is a result of a bacterial infection causing an abnormal immune system reaction that causes the joints to become painful or stiff, as well as pain upon urination and irritation of the eyes. Reiter's syndrome usually begins within two to three weeks of the salmonella infection, though the symptoms may appear as soon as five days after the onset of diarrhea.
Sepsis
Possibly the most dangerous complication of salmonella, sepsis is the result of the bacteria entering into the bloodstream. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) indicates that when salmonella gets into the bloodstream it sometimes causes a condition known as typhoid fever that is marked by the development of a high fever (between 103 and 104 degrees F), headache, stomach pains and a loss of appetite. Some patients also develop a flat, rose-colored rash. Typhoid fever is more common in less developed countries and is a serious illness that can be fatal if not treated with antibiotics.
