BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuSalmonella enterocolitisSalmonellosis; Nontyphoidal salmonella; Food poisoning - salmonella; Gastroenteritis - salmonellaSalmonella enterocolitis is a bacterial infection in the lining of the small intestine that is caused by Salmonella bacteria. It is a type of food poisoning. Causes Salmonella infection is one of the most common types of food poisoning. It occurs when you eat food or drink water that contains Salmonella bacteria. Food poisoningFood poisoning occurs when you swallow food or water that contains bacteria, parasites, viruses, or the toxins made by these germs. Most cases are c...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Related video goes here for no-HTML5 browsersThe Salmonella bacteria may get into the food you eat in several ways.You are more likely to get this type of infection if you:Eat foods such as turkey, turkey dressing, chicken, or eggs that have not been cooked well or stored properly Are around family members with a recent Salmonella infection Have been in or worked in a hospital, nursing home, or other long-term health facility Have a pet iguana or other lizards, turtles, or snakes (reptiles and amphibians can be carriers of Salmonella) Handle live poultry Have a weakened immune system Regularly used medicines that block acid production in the stomach Have Crohn disease or ulcerative colitis Used antibiotics in the recent past Symptoms The time between getting infected and having symptoms is 8 to 72 hours. Symptoms include:Abdominal pain, cramping, or tenderness Abdominal painAbdominal pain is pain that you feel anywhere between your chest and groin. This is often referred to as the stomach region or belly.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chills ChillsChills refers to feeling cold after being in a cold environment. The word can also refer to an episode of shivering along with paleness and feeling ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Diarrhea DiarrheaDiarrhea is when you pass loose or watery stool.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Fever FeverFever is the temporary increase in the body's temperature in response to a disease or illness. A child has a fever when the temperature is at or abov...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Muscle pain Muscle painMuscle aches and pains are common and can involve more than one muscle. Pain due to muscles can also be felt in ligaments, tendons, and fascia. Fas...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Nausea NauseaNausea is feeling an urge to vomit. It is often called "being sick to your stomach. "Vomiting or throwing-up forces the contents of the stomach up t...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Vomiting Exams and Tests Your health care provider will perform a physical exam. You may have a tender abdomen and develop tiny pink spots, called rose spots, on your skin.Tests that may be done include:Blood culture Complete blood count with differential Test for specific antibodies called febrile/cold agglutinins AntibodiesAn antibody is a protein produced by the body's immune system when it detects harmful substances, called antigens. Examples of antigens include micr...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Febrile/cold agglutininsAgglutinins are antibodies that cause the red blood cells to clump together. Cold agglutinins are active at cold temperatures. Febrile (warm) aggluti...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Stool culture for Salmonella Stool cultureA fecal culture is a lab test to find organisms in the stool (feces) that can cause gastrointestinal symptoms and disease.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Examination of stool for white blood cells Treatment The goal is to make you feel better and avoid dehydration. Dehydration means your body does not have as much water and fluids as it should.These things may help you feel better if you have diarrhea:Drink 8 to 10 glasses of clear fluids every day. Water is best. Drink at least 1 cup (240 milliliters) of liquid every time you have a loose bowel movement. Eat small meals throughout the day instead of 3 big meals. Eat some salty foods, such as pretzels, soup, and sports drinks. Eat some high-potassium foods, such as bananas, potatoes without the skin, and watered-down fruit juices.If your child has Salmonella, it is important to keep them from getting dehydrated. At first, try 1 ounce (2 tablespoons or 30 milliliters) of fluid every 30 to 60 minutes.Infants should continue to breastfeed and receive electrolyte replacement solutions as recommended by your child's provider. ElectrolyteElectrolytes are minerals in your blood and other body fluids that carry an electric charge. Electrolytes affect how your body functions in many ways...Read Article Now Book Mark Article You can use an over-the-counter drink, such as Pedialyte or Infalyte. Do not water down these drinks. You can also try Pedialyte freezer pops. Watered-down fruit juice or broth may also help.Medicines that slow diarrhea are often not given because they may make the infection last longer. If you have severe symptoms, your provider may prescribe antibiotics if you:Have diarrhea more than 9 or 10 times per day Have a high fever Need to be in the hospitalPeople who take diuretics ("water pills") may need to stop taking these medicines if they have acute Salmonella enteritis. Never stop taking any medicine without first talking to your provider. Outlook (Prognosis) In otherwise healthy people, symptoms should go away in 2 to 5 days, but they may last for 1 to 2 weeks. People who have been treated for Salmonella may continue to shed the bacteria in their stool for months to a year after the infection. Food handlers who carry Salmonella in their body can pass the infection to the people who eat the food they have handled. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if:There is blood or pus in your stools. You have diarrhea and are unable to drink fluids due to nausea or vomiting. You have a fever above 101°F (38.3°C) and diarrhea. You have signs of dehydration (thirst, dizziness, lightheadedness). You have recently traveled to a foreign country and developed diarrhea. Your diarrhea does not get better in 5 days, or it gets worse. You have severe abdominal pain.Contact your provider if your child has:A fever above 100.4°F (38°C) and diarrhea Diarrhea that does not get better in 2 days, or it gets worse Been vomiting for more than 12 hours (in a newborn under 3 months, you should call as soon as vomiting or diarrhea begins) Reduced urine output, sunken eyes, sticky or dry mouth, or no tears when crying Reduced urine outputDecreased urine output means that you produce less urine than normal. Most adults make at least 500 milliliters of urine in 24 hours (a little over ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Prevention Learning how to prevent food poisoning can reduce the risk for this infection. Follow these safety measures:Prevent food poisoningTo prevent food poisoning, take the following steps when preparing food:Carefully wash your hands often, and always before cooking or cleaning. Alwa...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Properly handle and store foods. Wash your hands when handling eggs, poultry, and other foods. If you own a reptile, wear gloves when handling the animal or its feces because Salmonella can easily pass to humans.Open ReferencesReferencesCrump JA. Salmonella infections (including enteric fever). In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 284.Fleckenstein JM. Approach to the patient with suspected enteric infection. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 262.Hammershaimb EA, Kotloff KL. Acute gastroenteritis in children. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 387.Lima AAM, Warren CA, Guerrant RL. Acute dysentery syndromes (diarrhea with fever). In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 99.Melia JMP, Sears CL. Infectious enteritis and proctocolitis. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 110.AllVideoImagesTogSalmonella typhi organism - illustration The causative agent of typhoid fever is the bacterium Salmonella typhi. (Image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)Salmonella typhi organismillustrationDigestive system - illustration The esophagus, stomach, large and small intestine, aided by the liver, gallbladder and pancreas convert the nutritive components of food into energy and break down the non-nutritive components into waste to be excreted.Digestive systemillustrationSalmonella typhi organism - illustration The causative agent of typhoid fever is the bacterium Salmonella typhi. (Image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)Salmonella typhi organismillustrationDigestive system - illustration The esophagus, stomach, large and small intestine, aided by the liver, gallbladder and pancreas convert the nutritive components of food into energy and break down the non-nutritive components into waste to be excreted.Digestive systemillustrationRelated Information Acute(Special Topic)Viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu)(Condition)Meningitis(Condition)Septicemia(Condition) Review Date: 3/16/2024 Reviewed By: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Roy and Diana Vagelos Professor in Medicine, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, New York, NY. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
Salmonella enterocolitisSalmonellosis; Nontyphoidal salmonella; Food poisoning - salmonella; Gastroenteritis - salmonellaSalmonella enterocolitis is a bacterial infection in the lining of the small intestine that is caused by Salmonella bacteria. It is a type of food poisoning. Causes Salmonella infection is one of the most common types of food poisoning. It occurs when you eat food or drink water that contains Salmonella bacteria. Food poisoningFood poisoning occurs when you swallow food or water that contains bacteria, parasites, viruses, or the toxins made by these germs. Most cases are c...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Related video goes here for no-HTML5 browsersThe Salmonella bacteria may get into the food you eat in several ways.You are more likely to get this type of infection if you:Eat foods such as turkey, turkey dressing, chicken, or eggs that have not been cooked well or stored properly Are around family members with a recent Salmonella infection Have been in or worked in a hospital, nursing home, or other long-term health facility Have a pet iguana or other lizards, turtles, or snakes (reptiles and amphibians can be carriers of Salmonella) Handle live poultry Have a weakened immune system Regularly used medicines that block acid production in the stomach Have Crohn disease or ulcerative colitis Used antibiotics in the recent past Symptoms The time between getting infected and having symptoms is 8 to 72 hours. Symptoms include:Abdominal pain, cramping, or tenderness Abdominal painAbdominal pain is pain that you feel anywhere between your chest and groin. This is often referred to as the stomach region or belly.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chills ChillsChills refers to feeling cold after being in a cold environment. The word can also refer to an episode of shivering along with paleness and feeling ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Diarrhea DiarrheaDiarrhea is when you pass loose or watery stool.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Fever FeverFever is the temporary increase in the body's temperature in response to a disease or illness. A child has a fever when the temperature is at or abov...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Muscle pain Muscle painMuscle aches and pains are common and can involve more than one muscle. Pain due to muscles can also be felt in ligaments, tendons, and fascia. Fas...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Nausea NauseaNausea is feeling an urge to vomit. It is often called "being sick to your stomach. "Vomiting or throwing-up forces the contents of the stomach up t...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Vomiting Exams and Tests Your health care provider will perform a physical exam. You may have a tender abdomen and develop tiny pink spots, called rose spots, on your skin.Tests that may be done include:Blood culture Complete blood count with differential Test for specific antibodies called febrile/cold agglutinins AntibodiesAn antibody is a protein produced by the body's immune system when it detects harmful substances, called antigens. Examples of antigens include micr...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Febrile/cold agglutininsAgglutinins are antibodies that cause the red blood cells to clump together. Cold agglutinins are active at cold temperatures. Febrile (warm) aggluti...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Stool culture for Salmonella Stool cultureA fecal culture is a lab test to find organisms in the stool (feces) that can cause gastrointestinal symptoms and disease.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Examination of stool for white blood cells Treatment The goal is to make you feel better and avoid dehydration. Dehydration means your body does not have as much water and fluids as it should.These things may help you feel better if you have diarrhea:Drink 8 to 10 glasses of clear fluids every day. Water is best. Drink at least 1 cup (240 milliliters) of liquid every time you have a loose bowel movement. Eat small meals throughout the day instead of 3 big meals. Eat some salty foods, such as pretzels, soup, and sports drinks. Eat some high-potassium foods, such as bananas, potatoes without the skin, and watered-down fruit juices.If your child has Salmonella, it is important to keep them from getting dehydrated. At first, try 1 ounce (2 tablespoons or 30 milliliters) of fluid every 30 to 60 minutes.Infants should continue to breastfeed and receive electrolyte replacement solutions as recommended by your child's provider. ElectrolyteElectrolytes are minerals in your blood and other body fluids that carry an electric charge. Electrolytes affect how your body functions in many ways...Read Article Now Book Mark Article You can use an over-the-counter drink, such as Pedialyte or Infalyte. Do not water down these drinks. You can also try Pedialyte freezer pops. Watered-down fruit juice or broth may also help.Medicines that slow diarrhea are often not given because they may make the infection last longer. If you have severe symptoms, your provider may prescribe antibiotics if you:Have diarrhea more than 9 or 10 times per day Have a high fever Need to be in the hospitalPeople who take diuretics ("water pills") may need to stop taking these medicines if they have acute Salmonella enteritis. Never stop taking any medicine without first talking to your provider. Outlook (Prognosis) In otherwise healthy people, symptoms should go away in 2 to 5 days, but they may last for 1 to 2 weeks. People who have been treated for Salmonella may continue to shed the bacteria in their stool for months to a year after the infection. Food handlers who carry Salmonella in their body can pass the infection to the people who eat the food they have handled. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if:There is blood or pus in your stools. You have diarrhea and are unable to drink fluids due to nausea or vomiting. You have a fever above 101°F (38.3°C) and diarrhea. You have signs of dehydration (thirst, dizziness, lightheadedness). You have recently traveled to a foreign country and developed diarrhea. Your diarrhea does not get better in 5 days, or it gets worse. You have severe abdominal pain.Contact your provider if your child has:A fever above 100.4°F (38°C) and diarrhea Diarrhea that does not get better in 2 days, or it gets worse Been vomiting for more than 12 hours (in a newborn under 3 months, you should call as soon as vomiting or diarrhea begins) Reduced urine output, sunken eyes, sticky or dry mouth, or no tears when crying Reduced urine outputDecreased urine output means that you produce less urine than normal. Most adults make at least 500 milliliters of urine in 24 hours (a little over ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Prevention Learning how to prevent food poisoning can reduce the risk for this infection. Follow these safety measures:Prevent food poisoningTo prevent food poisoning, take the following steps when preparing food:Carefully wash your hands often, and always before cooking or cleaning. Alwa...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Properly handle and store foods. Wash your hands when handling eggs, poultry, and other foods. If you own a reptile, wear gloves when handling the animal or its feces because Salmonella can easily pass to humans.Open ReferencesReferencesCrump JA. Salmonella infections (including enteric fever). In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 284.Fleckenstein JM. Approach to the patient with suspected enteric infection. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 262.Hammershaimb EA, Kotloff KL. Acute gastroenteritis in children. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 387.Lima AAM, Warren CA, Guerrant RL. Acute dysentery syndromes (diarrhea with fever). In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 99.Melia JMP, Sears CL. Infectious enteritis and proctocolitis. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 110.
