How to Get Over Salmonella Food Poisoning Faster

Symptoms of salmonella food poisoning, or salmonellosis, develop rapidly after infection, usually within one to three days. This food-borne illness typically lasts no more than a week and most people get over it without treatment. Salmonella food poisoning can be especially dangerous to the elderly, the very young and people with compromised immune systems. In some cases the bacterial infection can spread from the digestive system into the blood stream. In such cases, hospitalization and treatment with antibiotics are usually necessary.

Things You'll Need

• Pain relievers
• Anti-diarrhea medications

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Instructions

• 1

  Keep hydrated. In addition to fever and abdominal cramps, salmonella food poisoning can cause persistent diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration. Concentrate on drinking fluids that can replace the electrolytes that are lost due to diarrhea. The fluids should contain minerals such as sodium, potassium and calcium. Many sports drinks contain essential electrolytes.

• 2

  Treat the symptoms. Many over the counter anti-diarrhea medications containing loperamide (brand names Imodium, Kaopectate, Maalox) may help alleviate some of the discomfort of persistent diarrhea. Consult with your health care provider regarding treatment of any fever that may be present. Many over the counter pain relievers, analgesics and anti-inflammatory medications including acetaminophen, ibuprofen and aspirin, may help to control fever associated with salmonella food poison, but some may cause stomach upset.

• 3

  Keep away from other people. Once you have contracted salmonella, you are not only contagious, but because your body is already fighting one infection, you may be more susceptible to other types of illness. You don't want the flu one top of salmonella food poisoning.

• 4

  Wash your hands with very warm soapy water after every diarrhea episode. Salmonella bacteria live in the intestines and are present in the stools of infected hosts. Unwashed hands can pass the bacteria on to others or even re-infect yourself.

• 5

  Keep your health care provider informed of your symptoms. Severe cases of salmonella food poisoning can be fatal if the salmonella bacteria break out of the intestines and into the blood stream. This situation requires hospitalization and treatment with intravenous fluids and antibiotics.