The most common treatment of salmonellosis is actually no treatment. This is because the medical condition, in which salmonella bacteria infects the intestines, usually heals on its own within four to seven days. In severe cases, though, treatment of salmonellosis includes the use of intravenous fluids and sometimes antibiotics. Intravenous fluids rehydrate the affected person, while antibiotics, prescribed if the infection spreads beyond the intestines, kill the bacteria.
If a person needs to undergo treatment of salmonellosis, he is usually suffering from a severe case of the illness and requires a hospital stay. At the hospital, he will receive intravenous fluids, if necessary, to treat dehydration due to diarrhea. In addition, he will receive antibiotics if the salmonella bacteria spread to the bloodstream and, thus, other parts of the body. Without proper antibiotic treatment of salmonellosis, this bacterial spread can cause death. Those who are more at risk of developing severe salmonellosis than others, include the elderly, young children, and those with compromised immune systems.
Complications can occur with salmonellosis, even after recovery. Typhoid fever is a fatal illness caused by the salmonella typhi bacteria and usually occurs in those who live or travel to developing countries. Though antibiotics are the usual form of treatment to combat this illness, the salmonella typhi bacteria is becoming more resistant to antibiotics. People can also develop Reiter’s syndrome, characterized by pain in the joints. Patients who get the condition may later suffer from chronic arthritis.
There are ways to prevent a salmonellosis infection from occurring. First, this includes understanding where salmonella bacteria are found, and how the illness is spread. Salmonella bacteria are found in certain raw foods, such as beef, pork and poultry. Eating raw or undercooked foods can spread the illness. Salmonella bacteria also spread from touching infected animals including cattle, chicks or reptiles. In addition, animal feces can also contain the bacteria.
To prevent salmonellosis then, a person should avoid eating raw or undercooked foods. He should also avoid potentially contaminating foods. For example, he should keep raw meat away from cooked meat. Another way for a person to guard himself from contracting salmonellosis is to wash his hands often. This includes after handling foods, as well as after coming into contact with animals or animal feces.