What are salmonella symptoms?

The onset of salmonella poisoning typically includes severe diarrhea and nausea.

By Steve PollakWed, Aug 18 2010 at 4:51 PM EST
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Eggs can carry salmonella. SEVERE ILLNESS: Eggs linked to salmonella poisoning were recalled recently. Several people in California became ill and many more are wondering about symptoms. (Photo: cursedthing/Flickr)
The magnitude of the recent egg recall has many consumers wondering what the symptoms of salmonella poisoning look like.
 
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the onset of salmonella symptoms can take anywhere from six to 48 hours following the ingestion of contaminated food or drink.
 
Symptoms include the following:
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • abdominal cramps
  • diarrhea
  • fever
  • headache
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the illness typically lasts four to seven days and that most people recover without antibiotic treatment.
 
The diarrhea, however, can be severe and may require hospitalization.
 
While most people can expect to recover, the CDC notes that the elderly, infants and those with impaired immune systems may be at risk for more severe infections. These patients are in particular danger if the salmonella spreads from the intestines to the blood stream and then on to other parts of the body. This type of infection can result in death if it is not treated promptly.
 
On August 13, Wright County Egg of Galt, Iowa issued a nationwide recall of 228 million eggs after they were linked to salmonella outbreaks in Colorado, California and Minnesota.
 
The eggs were distributed around the country and packaged under the names Lucerne, Albertson, Mountain Dairy, Ralph's, Boomsma's, Sunshine, Hillandale, Trafficanda, Farm Fresh, Shoreland, Lund, Dutch Farms and Kemp.
 
More resources for salmonella symptoms:
 
See also: