Salmonella Food Poisoning: Symptoms

What are the symptoms of Salmonella food poisoning?

Symptoms of Salmonella food poisoning generally begin within eight to 72 hours after ingesting food or beverages contaminated with Salmonella bacteria. With proper care to avoid dehydration, generally healthy adults can begin to see improvement in their symptoms within a couple of days and can recover completely within about a week.

Salmonella food poisoning symptoms include:

• Fever and chills

• Headache

• Multiple bouts of diarrhea which may be bloody

• Nausea and vomiting

• Severe abdominal pain and cramps

Serious symptoms that might indicate a life-threatening condition

In some cases, Salmonella food poisoning can result in serious or life-threatening complications, such as severe dehydration and Reiter’s syndrome. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have any of these symptoms:

• Change in level of consciousness or alertness, such as passing out or unresponsiveness

• Change in mental status or sudden behavior change, such as confusion, delirium, lethargy, hallucinations and delusions

• Dizziness

• Dry, cracked lips, mouth or tongue

• Eye irritation

• In infants: a sunken fontanel (soft spot) on the top of the head, lethargy, no tears with crying, and few or no wet diapers

• Not urinating or urinating small amounts of tea-colored urine

• Painful joints

• Painful urination

• Weakness (loss of strength)