Salmonellosis, Frequently Asked Questions
What is salmonellosis?
Salmonellosis is an infection with a bacteria called Salmonella. Most persons
infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72
hours after infection. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most persons
recover without treatment. However, in some persons the diarrhea may be so
severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. In these patients, the
Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the blood stream, and
then to other body sites and can cause death unless the person is treated
promptly with antibiotics. The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune
systems are more likely to have a severe illness.