Salmonellosis

Report within 24 hours of Diagnosis to the Local Health Department.

Salmonellosis is an illness of the intestines caused by bacteria. People become infected by swallowing the bacteria. This can occur in several different ways such as eating contaminated food or touching infected animals such as turtles, lizards, other reptiles and chicks. It can also spread as a result of the bacteria passing from the stool of an infected person to the mouth of another person. This can happen when infected people do not wash their hands properly after using the bathroom and then touch food or objects that may be placed in another person’s mouth. Symptoms may include diarrhea, fever, headache, abdominal cramps, nausea, and vomiting. Infections usually end in five to seven days without any treatment, and antibiotics are usually not prescribed.

 

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Last Reviewed: 12/1/2023