How to treat salmonellosis

Video: Salmonellosis - causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, pathology

Content

Steps
Part 1 of 3: Diagnosis
Part 2 of 3: Treatment
Part 3 of 3: Prevention
Tips
Warnings
What do you need

Samonellosis is an acute intestinal infection caused by salmonella. The main source of infection in this case is contact with water or food contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonellosis is accompanied by fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain - quite often, when we observe such a picture, we are talking about “food poisoning”. Symptoms make themselves felt within 2-48 hours, and can last up to 7 days. As a rule, salmonellosis goes away on its own, but in rare cases, complications may develop. This article will tell you how to treat salmonellosis.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Diagnosis

1 Identify the symptoms. Salmonellosis usually makes itself felt after eating raw meat or eggs if they have been infected with Salmonella. The incubation period of the disease lasts from a couple of hours to a couple of days, accompanied by symptoms that are similar to those of gastroenteritis. Most often, salmonellosis manifests itself as follows:
- Nausea
- Vomit
- Diarrhea
- Chills
- Heat
- Headache
- Blood in the stool
2 When to see a doctor? The question is relevant, even if salmonellosis does not pose a particular health hazard. This disease becomes dangerous in the case of those who, for one reason or another, have weakened immunity, as well as those who already suffer from problems with the gastrointestinal tract. In such cases, the risk of developing complications of salmonellosis increases significantly. In addition, children and the elderly are at risk. If the symptoms do not disappear and do not subside, and the person suffering from them is at risk, then it is recommended to take him to a doctor as soon as possible. Moreover, in some cases it is necessary to urgently seek medical help, namely:
- If a person has dehydration, from which urination and lacrimation decrease, dry mouth will appear, eyes will sink.
- If a person develops signs of bacteremia, that is, if Salmonella enters the bloodstream and begins to infect other tissues of the body - the brain, including bone and spinal cord, heart, etc. A sharp rise in temperature, chills, a rapid heart rate and the sight of a person who is seriously ill are what you should look out for.
3 Get diagnosed for Salmonella infection. The doctor will evaluate the symptoms and will most likely recommend drinking plenty of water and resting until the symptoms go away (and they usually go away on their own). If the doctor thinks that you need to be tested, then a fecal analysis will be prescribed, on the basis of which it will be determined whether you have salmonellosis.
- You may also be referred for a blood test to determine if bacteremia has developed.
- If salmonellosis has gone beyond the digestive system, antibiotics may be prescribed.
- With severe dehydration, the patient can be hospitalized and receive further intravenous fluid.

Part 2 of 3: Treatment

1 Drink plenty, especially water. Loss of fluid from the body through vomiting and diarrhea can lead to dehydration. Accordingly, it is important to replenish fluid and electrolyte losses by drinking plenty of water, herbal tea, juice, or broth. Even if you don't feel like drinking at all, remember the great word “must” and drink, drink ...
- Popsicles, sherbet, and even ice chips can help you replenish lost water and sugar.
- Severe bouts of diarrhea and vomiting must be washed down with plenty of water.
- Rehydration solutions can be used in children.
2 Eat bland food when recovering from illness. Salty, spicy, sour, fatty - all this will only irritate your digestive tract, which is already having a hard time.
3 Use a heating pad or warm compresses. Heat can help relieve abdominal pain. Even a hot bottle or hot bath will help you to forget about the pain for a while.
4 Get plenty of rest. If you neglect this, then you will come to your senses after an illness much longer. Your body itself will cope with Salmonella, your task at this moment is not to try to do something else, taking away the strength from the body. Take a sick leave for a couple of days if you suffer from vomiting and diarrhea.

Part 3 of 3: Prevention

1 Cook animal products thoroughly. Unpasteurized milk and raw eggs should not be consumed, because these products are the main cause of Salmonella infection. Do not hesitate to send poorly baked meat and eggs back to the kitchen if your order in a restaurant turns out to be just like that.
- However, even vegetables can be contaminated with salmonella. Wash them thoroughly!
- Wash hands and work surfaces that have come into contact with raw meat or eggs.
2 Wash your hands after contact with animals and their faeces. Animals can also carry Salmonella. Healthy reptiles and birds carry Salmonella on their bodies, and Salmonella can be found in the feces of cats and dogs. In general, wash your hands with soap and water, but more often - it will not hurt.
3 Do not let children touch reptiles and small birds. Chickens, lizards, turtles - all of them can carry Salmonella on the surface of their bodies. In other words, if a child cuddled a chicken, then there is every chance that he will soon get sick. Given that the immunity of children is weaker, the disease will be difficult - at least more severe than in adults. In other words, it is better to prohibit immediately than to treat later.

Tips

Washing your hands after using the toilet will reduce your chances of getting sick.
Eggs must always be cooked thoroughly. Raw eggs contain salmonella!
Semi-raw meat and eggs are dangerous. Hands should be thoroughly washed after contact with raw meat and eggs.
It is advisable that you touch reptiles or amphibians and everything that surrounds them, only with gloves. If you do not have gloves, then wash your hands after contact with these animals.

Warnings

Picked up salmonellosis? You have become contagious! Until you completely get rid of the infection, try not to contact people especially.
Avoid storing fresh fruits and vegetables next to raw meat to prevent Salmonella contamination of foods.
Remember that salmonella can be tolerated even by cooking utensils that have come into contact with contaminated raw meat.