Home Remedy for Salmonella

Salmonella is a bacterial infection that affects the gastrointestinal tract caused by eating food and drinking water that has been contaminated. Salmonella typically does not require treatment, though antibiotics may be prescribed in severe cases, however, there are a number of ways to control and alleviate symptoms from the comfort of your own home.

Symptoms

• According to the Mayo Clinic, salmonella symptoms typically present themselves within 12 to 72 hours. Only a dozen or so of the 2,000 salmonella bacteria cause symptoms, with most of them falling under the umbrella of gastroenteritis. These symptoms typically include severe diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, fever, chills and the presence of blood in the stools. Other illness-causing salmonella bacteria can cause typhoid fever, which causes symptoms such as diarrhea, high fever, confusion a rash on the chest, an enlarged liver or spleen and a slow heartbeat.

Home Treatment

• Although some cases of salmonella may require antibiotics, the infection typically resolves on its own. The signs and symptoms of salmonella, however, can be treated with simple treatment measures that can be accomplished at home. The excessive diarrhea can cause dehydration and a loss of nutrients, which can be replaced through over-the-counter electrolyte solutions and the consumption of regular amounts of water. You may be tempted to take anti-diarrheal medication, but according to the New York Times Health Guide on salmonella, these should not be taken as they could cause the infection to last longer than it normally would. Other ways to treat diarrhea include eating a diet of bananas, rice, apple sauce and toast, a diet known as the BRAT diet. These foods help the stools become firmer, which in turn cuts down on the amount of diarrhea passed. Avoiding foods that may exacerbate the symptoms, such as dairy or spicy foods, may provide help as well.