{"id":19866,"date":"2020-02-04T06:18:22","date_gmt":"2020-02-04T06:18:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/besthealth.guide\/?p=19866"},"modified":"2021-10-15T01:45:57","modified_gmt":"2021-10-15T01:45:57","slug":"14-signs-of-salmonella","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/besthealth.guide\/14-signs-of-salmonella\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Signs of Salmonella"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Food poisoning is one of the most common ailments a person will experience in their lifetime. It is on par with the common cold in regards to how often a person is infected. Food poisoning is caused by the salmonella bacteria, which has over 2,500 different strains. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Salmonella can infect humans and animals but in slightly different ways. It is estimated that at least 20,000 people in the USA are hospitalized annually as a direct result of salmonella infections, but as many as 3 million people per year will be infected. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though rare, salmonella infections can cause death, and there are at least 500 a year in the United States alone. Salmonella most commonly causes food poisoning, but it is also the source of typhoid fever and paratyphoid fever. Salmonella usually develops when a food or water source becomes contaminated with feces from animals or humans who are infected with the bacteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. General Malaise<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

General malaise may be a result of various conditions. When paired with stomach pains, fever, and other signs, the likely cause is a salmonella infection. There are more than 2,500 strains of salmonella bacteria. While not all of them affect humans, those that do produce a wide array of signs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of all the strains, Salmonella Typhi is commonly the cause of general malaise<\/a>. Salmonella Typhi also happens to be the strain of bacteria that causes typhoid fever to develop. Typhoid must be treated promptly and in the right manner to prevent the spread of the bacteria to others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This form of salmonella infection will usually pass from the body within two weeks even without treatment but will remain contagious for much longer. Some people are simply carriers of salmonella typhi without becoming sick themselves. They are able to pass on the infection to others who will become actively unwell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Nausea<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most abdominal ailments or complications will result in a person developing feelings of nausea. The same is true for a person who has become infected with salmonella poisoning. The person may feel the urge to vomit but may not actually do so. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In most cases, pain in the lower abdomen will accompany nausea<\/a>. Feeling nauseous is extremely uncomfortable if the sensation is not remedied within a short period of time, it typically leads to vomiting. \u00a0While temporary nausea can be managed with medication or by treating the source, extremes nausea may lead to secondary health complications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

People who suffer from extreme nausea as a result of salmonella poisoning may become dehydrated, fatigued, or malnourished within a short time frame. Sometimes the thought, smell, or sight of food is enough to trigger nauseous feelings or even vomiting. If you have nausea that won\u2019t go away you may be suffering from salmonella poisoning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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3. Vomiting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the common signs of salmonella poisoning is vomiting. The salmonella bacteria invade the digestive systems leading to stomach upset, nausea and of course, vomiting. Too much vomiting can lead to secondary health concerns such as malnutrition and dehydration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seniors, infants, and those with certain conditions are more prone to vomiting <\/a>when suffering from salmonella poisoning. The body will do everything in its power to expel a bacteria that reached the stomach in an effort to self-preserve. While this may be helpful in some cases, too much vomiting can cause weakness, burn the lining of the throat and may even lead to confusion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

People who are suffering from vomiting but are unsure of the cause may have salmonella poisoning. If you have eaten in a new location or if you think you have consumed contaminated liquids, seek medical attention. Depending on the severity a range of treatment or rest may be prescribed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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4. Diarrhea<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We have all been there at one point or the other, bubbling in the stomach, a little grumble, then the mad dash to the bathroom. That\u2019s right, we are talking about diarrhea<\/a>. There are a few ailments that list diarrhea as a symptom, but it is one of the main signs of salmonella infection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This sign is caused by the effect of the bacteria on the digestive tract. It irritates the bowels and the stomach while also destroying the gut flora. This dangerous bacteria will run through your system like a bowling ball and leave you with water stools that just won\u2019t quit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes, a salmonella infection will cause diarrhea to persist for hours or even days. This can lead to dehydration, and of course, embarrassment. When the salmonella bacteria hits the gut, it causes the stomach as bowels to flush their contents, even if the food is only partially digested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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5. Abdominal Pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Abdominal pain has a wide range of causes, but it is also quite commonly found in people who have been exposed to the salmonella bacteria. Your digestive system<\/a> is a complex machine that works to keep your body running. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you eat your stomach will remove the nutrients from your food and then send the leftovers to your lower intestine and then your bowels to be disposed of. Most people are not actively aware of this process while it is being carried out, but a salmonella infection will change that, quickly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When there is an irritation to the gut such as salmonella infection, it will make your stomach\u2019s sensory systems kick into high gear. When the body detects a salmonella infection, it will do its best to expel it. Unfortunately, that means violent contractions that can cause varying degrees of abdominal pain. Medical professionals may mistake these cramps for appendicitis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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6. Dehydration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Salmonella <\/a>bacteria cause a vast amount of gastrointestinal distress in the form of intense nausea, constant vomiting, and chronic diarrhea. The majority of patients who are battling a \u00a0salmonella infection find it challenging to eat or drink while they are sick. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This makes the possibility of dehydration likely. The best way to fight dehydration when suffering from a salmonella infection is to stay hydrated with a saline solution or an electrolyte drink. Those who have the bacteria who are suffering from diarrhea should make a point of drinking a glass of electrolytes after each trip to the bathroom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When a person vomits or has loose stools but fails to replace their fluids it can lead to dehydration or even a serious electrolyte imbalance. Dehydration, when left untreated, can lead to a stroke or a seizure to an electrolyte imbalance. Those who are unable to eat or drink for 48 hours should seek help immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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7. Fever<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most bacteria or viral attacks will cause the body to attack the invader. This response often triggers a fever which is also true in the case of salmonella poisoning. When salmonella infects the body, it will cause high fevers that reach as much as 102 degrees. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main way the body attempts to fight infections is by increasing body temperature dramatically. The average body temperature is around 98 degrees when the temperature rises dramatically, it makes it much harder for invading infections to thrive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A person suffering from a salmonella infection will often have chills<\/a>, tremors, and soreness in their joints. A fever from salmonella will make a person feel hot to the touch, but to them, they will feel as if the environment around them is extra cold. Fevers and soreness can be managed with the use of over the counter medications. If the fever doesn\u2019t subside, seek help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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8. Dizziness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bacterial infections attack the body but they also attack the nerves. Bacteria such as salmonella will travel along the nerves that branch through the brainstem and pass through to the vestibular system. Spatial awareness is maintained by your vestibular system, which also controls your sense of balance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Salmonella often causes inflammation along the nerves and in other parts of your body. When the vestibular system suffers from inflammation, the end result is a loss of balance and a general feeling of being dizzy. Salmonella can cause extreme infections that cause vertigo to develop in the affected person. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vertigo is a serious case of dizziness <\/a>that makes a person believe the room is spinning even if they are sitting or laying down. There is no treatment for vertigo or dizziness caused by salmonella infection. Wearing sunglasses, laying down, or waiting for the feeling to pass is currently the only option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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9. Bloody Stools<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Eating food that is contaminated with the salmonella bacteria is the most common way the infection is contracted.  People can also consume the bacteria when they come in contact with contaminated liquids. The salmonella bacteria pass through the mouth and finds its way into the digestive system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, salmonella is a seriously hazardous bacteria. As it makes itself at home in the digestive system it starts to colonize the intestines and kill off good gut flora. The longer the salmonella bacteria is in the intestines, the more damage it will cause. Damage such as intestinal irritation, inflammation, bloating<\/a> and gas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

All of these signs will trigger abdominal pain among other signs. As the salmonella infection follows along its natural course of progression, it may trigger bloody stools. While this may seem alarming, there is a very small chance of serious harm from internal bleeding due to bloody stools from salmonella bacteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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10. Reactive Arthritis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are some complications of salmonella infection that are not often discussed, such as reactive arthritis. Salmonella infections affect each person differently and also have different side effects for certain age ranges in the population. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Salmonella infections cause inflammation and swelling in the joints which may only cause muscle pain or discomfort in younger people. In seniors, however, salmonella infections attack the joints of the knees, wrist, fingers, lower back, and elbows. This reactive arthritis caused by salmonella infections causes deep aching pain for the duration of the illness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reactive arthritis <\/a>caused by the infection will clear naturally as the salmonella bacteria passes from the body. Seniors who suffer from other inflammatory diseases may notice that RA persist for week or months following a bout with salmonella. Over the counter pain aids, physical therapy, and topical creams are effective in managing the pain caused by reactive arthritis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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11. Dry Mouth<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dry mouth<\/a> is a common symptom experienced by those who are suffering from salmonella poisoning. Dry mouth has many causes, but in the case of salmonella, it is due to dehydration. Salmonella is often found in contaminated food sources, or even in contaminated sources of water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

People who consume contaminated items that contain salmonella will often suffer from bouts of vomiting. It is equally common for salmonella poisoning to also cause diarrhea. Both side effects take precious fluids from the body. Depending on how long these signs persist, it can cause a person to become dehydrated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the body loses moisture it will result in dry mouth, lack of urine, joint pain and even dizziness. When the body is dehydrated it will generate less saliva in an effort to route precious fluids to other organs that are critical for survival, like the brain. It is critical to rehydrate when battling salmonella poisoning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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12. Joint Pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There is nothing worse than feeling an ache that travels the length of your bones or invades your joints. Those suffering from salmonella poisoning often will suffer from constant joint pain<\/a>. There are times when patients may seek treatment for salmonella poisoning that ends up not being effective. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the treatment doesn\u2019t work or if the infection doesn\u2019t self-clear, it may cause lasting side effects like joint pain. Many people may also notice they suffer from unspecified bladder problems and eye irritations along with their chronic joint pain. The longer the bacteria is in the body, the more systems it may infiltrate and wreak havoc. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Salmonella poisoning is uncomfortable, painful, and in some cases highly disruptive, but most will clear up on their own within a week. Most doctors will suggest fluids and rest, but in serious cases of salmonella poisoning, antibiotics may be prescribed. Long term complications from salmonella are rare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Chills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the early signs of salmonella infection is a whole-body fever. Your body fights invaders such as bacteria and viruses by taking your body from a pleasant 98 degrees and turning into an oven. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bacteria like salmonella thrive in warm environments, but like most bacteria, they have a hard time to survive in hot, hostile environments. Your body will turn up the internal temperature quite quickly, often too fast for your skin and other organs to catch up. When this happens, the resulting effect is a chill felt along the skin despite the presence of a full-body fever<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The brain usually spots invading bacteria such as salmonella long before the rest of your body. When this happens it sends a signal to the hypothalamus telling it to create develop pyrogens to heat up your core. While your basal temperature will shoot up, the rest of your body is a bit slow to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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14. Muscular Pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Muscle pain is something that everyone will experience at one point in their lives. Muscle pain alone may be hard to use as a diagnosis for salmonella infection, but it is a common sign. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The longer the salmonella bacteria stays in the body, the more likely a person will be to suffer from muscle soreness<\/a>. When salmonella bacteria invade the body the brain triggers its defenses. These include fever, white blood cells, and antibodies that are tasked with targeting and destroying the bacteria. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because the salmonella bacteria invade your muscles, as well as the rest of your body, the attacks from your immune system, may result in discomfort. As your white blood cells and antibodies penetrate the muscle tissue to locate and eliminate the salmonella infection, the muscles suffer secondary trauma which causes temporary muscle soreness. The pain will be at its worst right before your fever peaks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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