Infections come in all shapes and sizes, and they can affect different parts of your body. In the case of a salmonella infection, your intestinal tract is affected. This type of infection can make you feel pretty miserable for a few days as your body works to overcome the bacteria.

The symptoms associated with a salmonella infection can often look similarly to common stomach bugs, so it can be hard to tell the difference on your own.

Our AFC Urgent Care Statesville team explains how you can contract salmonella and how to treat it below, so read on.

How Does a Salmonella Infection Start?

Most commonly, a salmonella infection comes from consuming contaminated food or water. In this case, the food in question would have contained a bacteria called Salmonella, hence the infection’s name. It is often found lurking in raw or undercooked meat or in unpasteurized dairy products.

If you grew up trying to sneak raw cookie dough and always getting reprimanded for it, this is why! Salmonella bacteria can be found in raw eggs, so even though it is delicious, your mom was trying to keep you safe.

Symptoms to Expect With a Salmonella Infection

• Diarrhea
• Stomach cramps
• Fever
• Nausea
• Headache

What’s the Best Way to Treat Salmonella?

The good news is that while these symptoms are certainly unpleasant, most cases can be treated at home with proper rest and hydration. One of the most important things to prioritize during a salmonella infection is drinking water. Since dehydration can happen quickly when you are experiencing diarrhea, you should be sipping on water all day, even if you are not thirsty.

Salmonella infections can be more severe in vulnerable populations like infants and older adults, so keep a close eye on symptoms in these individuals. If the infection spreads beyond the intestines or the person becomes severely dehydrated, it can lead to further complications.

Signs Medical Attention Is Needed

• Symptoms last more than a few days
• You experience bloody stools
• You have a high-grade fever of 102 degrees or higher that won’t go away
• You are severely dehydrated

Stomach issues can be really frustrating. Come see us at AFC Urgent Care Statesville for a diagnosis.