Difference Between Salmonella & Salmonellosis

Salmonella is the common family name for more than 2,500 types of bacteria. Salmonellosis is the classic syndrome of mild, self-limited gastroenteritis produced by infection with certain kinds of salmonella bacteria, usually acquired from contaminated food or beverages.

Symptoms of Salmonellosis

• Symptoms include of salmonellosis in humans include fever, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Course of Salmonellosis

• Salmonellosis symptoms typically appear within 12 to 72 hours of ingestion and resolve within 4 to 7 days.

Salmonellosis Care

• Care is supportive including rest and fluids. Some patients, including infants, the elderly and people with other medical problems, may need to be admitted to the hospital to treat dehydration.

Drugs to Treat Salmonellosis

• Fewer than 2 percent of people require antibiotics to treat salmonellosis. Examples include people with certain kinds of immune problems (AIDS, cancer, sickle cell anemia) and those with multiple medical problems. These people may not be able to clear the infection on their own.

Common Causes of Salmonellosis

• Of the 2,500 identified species of salmonella bacteria, two subspecies--Salmonella Enteridis and Salmonella Typhimurium--account for almost all cases of salmonellosis in humans.

Prevalence of Salmonellosis

• According to the World Health Organization, salmonella bacteria are one of the most common causes of foodborne illness around the world. In the United States, 1.4 million infections result in over 150,000 doctor visits, 15,000 hospitalizations and 500 deaths each year.