{"id":5589,"date":"2019-04-11T06:13:42","date_gmt":"2019-04-11T06:13:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=5589"},"modified":"2021-05-04T14:07:21","modified_gmt":"2021-05-04T14:07:21","slug":"14-early-signs-of-salmonella","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-early-signs-of-salmonella\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Early Signs of Salmonella"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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When it comes to food poisoning, one of the most common types of bacteria that causes a person to become ill is salmonella. In fact, there are more than 7000 cases of salmonella that are reported each year. However, the number of people infected by this bacteria is much higher as most cases are not reported. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that there are over a million people in the United States contract salmonella every year and that there are over 20,000 hospitalizations caused by salmonella and nearly 400 deaths occur as a result of salmonella. Salmonella typically occurs because a person eats food that is contaminated with feces of humans or animals who carry the bacteria. There are several early signs that you may experience if you have been exposed to salmonella. Here are 8 early signs that you may experience if you have salmonella poisoning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Nausea<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As with many other types of abdominal issues, when you have salmonella poisoning it may cause you to feel nauseous. Nausea <\/a>refers to the feeling that you want to vomit, but you may not actually vomit. When it comes to salmonella, nausea is often accompanied by pain in the lower abdominal area. Nausea may become very uncomfortable. It also may be followed by actual vomiting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, extreme nausea may also lead to a person becoming dehydrated. The reason for this is because when a person is nauseous they may not want to eat or drink anything because their stomach is uncomfortable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are feeling nauseous and not eating or drinking enough and you have other symptoms of salmonella, you may want to take the time to go visit your doctor to find out the underlying cause. Getting to the root of the cause as early as possible is the best way to feel better quickly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Vomiting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most common symptoms of salmonella <\/a>is vomiting. The main reason for this is because this bacteria affects the digestive symptoms. Vomiting profusely can cause a person to lose important fluids. When these fluids are lost, a person may become dehydrated. Dehydration can have serious consequences especially in small children and people who have compromised immune systems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, if you suspect a young child or a person who is elderly or those who have illnesses such as HIV or cancer, has salmonella poisoning it is important to take them to the doctor right away. It is also important to make sure that you give them plenty of fluids in order to help them to rehydrate. Noticing this symptom early on is important so that the person does not get totally dehydrated, which can cause them to become even sicker and can cause even more complications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Diarrhea<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another common symptom of salmonella infection is diarrhea. Diarrhea involves passing stools that are watery or loose. Diarrhea <\/a>that is caused by an infection such as E. coli may be bloody. When salmonella is the cause of diarrhea there is typically no blood in it. Similar to vomiting, diarrhea that is caused by salmonella is because the salmonella is attacking the gastrointestinal tract. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bacteria will interfere with the gut. This can cause half-digested foods to be eliminated. Diarrhea can be caused by numerous viruses, infections, and other bacteria as well as food poisoning. If diarrhea persists for several hours it can cause many complications, including dehydration. Dehydration can cause some serious complications as your body needs fluids in order to function properly. If you have become dehydrated it is important to make sure that you seek medical attention in order to avoid further health issues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Abdominal Pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Abdominal pain can be caused by many different types of issues. If you are experiencing abdominal pain it could be a sign that you have a salmonella infection. The purpose of the digestive system is to absorb the nutrients from your food through digestion and then removing the waste. When the digestive system is functioning properly you may notice movements within the system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, when infection or irritation <\/a>of the digestive system occurs it can cause the sensory system of the gut it can cause it to go into overdrive. The reason for this is to clear the irritant from the digestive system. Salmonella infection may cause the stomach to have violent contractions. These contractions may be mistaken for appendicitis. If you are suffering from abdominal pain it is possible that you are suffering from salmonella. Chances are likely that you will also have one or more of the other symptoms on this list as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Fever<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Like many other types of infections, salmonella poisoning can cause a person to develop a fever<\/a>. In many cases of salmonella, a person will develop a temperature of at least 102 degrees F. When the body detects the presence of bacteria it will start to try to fight it off. One of the ways that the body tries to fight off the bacteria is to raise the body temperature. The reason for this is to help kill off the bacteria that are invading the body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The increase in body temperature can be detected by taking your temperature using a thermometer. Simply touching a person\u2019s forehead can also help you detect a fever. Most of the time a person who has developed a fever will feel clammy and cold. If you or a loved one has developed a fever and also has some of the other symptoms on this list, it is a good idea to consider seeking advice from a doctor in order to determine the underlying cause. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Dry Mouth<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People who have salmonella may experience dry mouth. The main cause of this symptom of salmonella is dehydration<\/a>. Salmonella causes the body to lose fluids through vomiting and diarrhea. These symptoms cause a person to become steadily dehydrated. If these symptoms persist for a long period of time without the person getting replenished, it can lead to a person feeling like their mouth and tongue are quite dry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is because the body is producing less saliva. Other signs that a person may be dehydrated include muscle cramps, headaches, dry lips, sunken eyes, and a reduction in the amount of urine that they are producing. A person who is suffering from salmonella poisoning needs to make sure that they are taking in plenty of water and other fluids whether they are being treated or not. Dehydration can be quite dangerous and cause many health issues, so it is important to make sure that you do everything you can to stay hydrated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Joint Pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In addition to some of the other symptoms on this list, some people who suffer from salmonella poisoning will also experience joint pain<\/a>. They may also have pain when they urinate and they may also experience eye irritation. These types of symptoms are typically a result of a salmonella infection that is not treated properly and does not clear up on its own. The bacteria stay in the body for a long period of time and then enter into other areas of the body as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is important to note that in most cases a salmonella infection will clear out of the body without any type of treatment. This means that complications from salmonella are quite rare. If a person experiences joint pain, it can develop over the years into chronic arthritis. For this reason, if you are experiencing joint pain and have had some of the other symptoms on this list it is important to discuss it with your doctor right away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. General Malaise<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A general feeling of malaise <\/a>can be a symptom of salmonella infection. This is often the case if you have been infected with a strain of salmonella called Salmonella Typhi. This type of salmonella can cause typhoid. Typhoid is a very serious illness. A person infected with typhoid can infect people for a long time if it is not properly treated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is unlike other types of salmonella infections that will typically clear from the body within a week or two even if treatment is not provided. Some people carry salmonella typhi and do not become infected. However, these people may shed the bacteria, which can affect others. If you have suffered from a general malaise over the course of several days it is important to make sure that you seek medical care in order to determine the underlying cause. If it is salmonella you want to make sure that you get the proper treatment right away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Chills
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A fever is one of the early signs of salmonella infection. It’s the body\u2019s natural defense response against invading bacteria and viruses. By turning up the heat, the immune response provides the pathogen with a hostile environment that makes it challenging for the pathogen to replicate.
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However, some people may find that they start to develop chills and feel cold, even though they\u2019re dealing with the onset of a fever. When the brain first notices the invading bacteria responsible for creating salmonella infection, it signals the hypothalamus to develop pyrogens. These proteins <\/a>attach to the ends of nerves, causing the nervous system to increase the basal temperature.
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However, our body doesn\u2019t respond to this new stimulus immediately, resulting in a lag in response time to the new setpoint. As a result, the patient starts to develop chills. Doctors may be hesitant to break a fever, as it does an excellent job of killing off the invading bacteria. However, should the temperature reach levels above 102F, the physician may treat the patient and break the fever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Dizziness
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Bacterial infection may wander towards the web of nerves that extend from the brainstem through the vestibular system in the head. The vestibular system is a network of channels that provide the body with spatial awareness. As a result, the vestibular system is responsible for maintaining our sense of balance.
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Inflammation of the vestibular system may result in feelings of dizziness <\/a>and a loss of balance. In extreme infections, the person may develop a condition known as vertigo, where the patient feels like the room is spinning, even when they are sitting down.
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There is no immediate treatment available from your doctor for vertigo, and patients may need to wear sunglasses if they go outside. Sitting in a dark room for a few minutes may reduce the intensity of the symptoms. People who are experiencing the effects of vertigo notice that it\u2019s at its peak in the early morning after they wake up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Bloody Stools
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The most common cause of salmonella infection is eating food tainted with the bacteria. When the bacteria enter the mouth, they make their way through the stomach and into the digestive system. The bacteria begin to colonize the intestines, creating symptoms of inflammation in the intestinal wall that leads to symptoms of gas and bloating, followed by discomfort and abdominal pain.
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As the bacteria progresses, the patient may notice that they start to experience bloody stools. The stool may contain bright red streaks that stand out from the other matter. Many people suffering from a salmonella infection may be shocked to find blood in their feces. However, it\u2019s important to note that this does not mean the patient is at risk of dying from internal bleeding<\/a>.
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The bacteria may cause inflammation in the intestinal wall that causes it to bleed. Most cases clear up when the patient receives treatment for their condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Muscular Pain
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Salmonella infection causes a wide range of symptoms that affect the entire body. Patients who are suffering from the effects of the disease may notice that they start to experience muscle pains in various regions of the body.
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When salmonella bacteria enter the bloodstream through the digestive system, they rapidly spread through the tissues and muscles of the body. The brain detects the invading pathogen <\/a>and signals for the body to increase the production of white blood cells and antibodies to fight off the salmonella bacteria.
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The antibodies penetrate tissues to kill the virus, causing symptoms of muscle pain. Think of it as your body is the battleground in this game of biological warfare, and your muscles act as the collateral damage.
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Most muscular pain reaches its peak as the fever comes on, and dissipates as the infection starts to clear. Doctors may treat the patient for the pain symptoms and discomfort with the use of over-the-counter pain medications and anti-inflammatories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Dehydration
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As discussed, infection with salmonella bacteria causes gastrointestinal distress that leads to symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Unfortunately, some people with salmonella may find it challenging to keep anything down, making dehydration <\/a>a real threat to their health.
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Doctors recommend that patients with salmonella infection replace their body fluids after each bowel movement. This strategy helps to keep the body hydrated and maintain levels of essential minerals. When we experience diarrhea, we lose water, minerals, and electrolytes. It\u2019s best to replenish the body\u2019s stores of these nutrients and water through the use of a specialized hydration pack.
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Failure to replenish the body\u2019s water and minerals may lead to an electrolyte imbalance. Patients who experience an electrolyte imbalance are at risk of developing a seizure or a stroke.
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If the patient is not able to keep anything down for a period longer than 36-hours, doctors recommend that you take them to the emergency room for the replenishment of the body fluids through the use of an IV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Reactive Arthritis
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Patients who are dealing with a salmonella infection may experience complications of the disease. Infected seniors are at risk of developing a condition known as, \u201creactive arthritis.\u201d This condition affects the joints in the fingers, wrists, elbows, knees, and lower back. The patient receives feelings of aching pain in their bones <\/a>that limit their mobility.
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RA goes away on its own without the need for medical assistance. However, some seniors that have issues with other inflammatory diseases may see the reactive arthritis stick around for up to a few months after the salmonella infection clears.
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RA mostly occurs in men between the ages of 20 and 50-years old, and its typically a short episode affecting the patient for a few days. However, should the patient have other contributing factors that could increase the intensity of symptoms, they may find that the disease reaches a chronic stage where it does not go away, and the patient will have to deal with the effects of the condition for the rest of their life.
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