1. Fever or Flu-like Symptoms
Salmonella looks very similar to typhoid fever when symptoms first occur. You may run a very high temperature (102 degrees and above) and you will sweat profusely. You may also develop a case of chills or the shakes. Generally speaking, it isn't fatal, though if you are very young or very old, there can be risks. Stay as comfortable as possible and call a doctor if the fever persists or your temperature rises past 101 or 102 degrees.
2. Nausea or Digestive Problems
Salmonella is a form of food poisoning, which means it strikes hardest at the digestive system. Nausea, cramps, vomiting and diarrhea may all be signs of salmonella poisoning. They can start anywhere from a few hours to several days after eating the poisoned food. In milder cases, the best thing to do is simply ride it out. If you take in food, make sure it's bland and easily digestible. Soda crackers, applesauce and bananas are good choices. Drink plenty of liquids: vomiting and diarrhea can cause dehydration, which is a serious health concern. Drink lots of water or sports drinks like Gatorade. If you can't keep them down, then suck on ice chips as often as possible. In serious cases, you may need to contact a doctor.
3. Recently Eaten Food
Bad food is the cause of most cases of salmonella. It's found most often on improperly cooked meat--especially birds like chicken--and can cross-contaminate other foods if cooking conditions aren't hygienic. It can spread through utensils which aren't clean, through unwashed hands, and even through animal droppings which come into contact with the food. Meats which are improperly refrigerated or left out for extended lengths of time may contain salmonella as well. The symptoms usually take between 6 hours and 2 days to appear. Think about the meals you've eaten in that time and whether any of them might have been prepared in unhygienic conditions.
4. Been Traveling Abroad?
About eight in ten cases of salmonella come from a handful of countries: Mexico, El Salvador, Haiti, India and the Philippines. If you traveled to any of those countries in the last few days--or brought back food from those countries which you subsequently ate--that may be the cause of the salmonella poisoning. You may also come down with it if you come into contact with any animals recently imported from those countries.
