Salmonella Enteritidis Treatment

When you're suffering from a salmonella enteritidis infection, this digestive condition is often a result of an egg-related salmonella bacterium, known as S. enteritidis. Within as little as two hours of ingestion, you can begin to suffer from its common symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, cramping and diarrhea. For some, this type of infection can last upwards of a week and also develop into a fever as well as some muscle aches and pains. While most cases of salmonella enteritidis infection resolve themselves, treatment is available to lessen the impact of the condition.

Self-Care

• Since most cases of salmonella enteritidis infection often remedy themselves, treatment is typically relegated to more self-care measures. To treat the condition, start by taking an antidiarrheal medication containing loperamide, a synthetic compound that essentially impedes the movement of stool through your large intestines. When stool is forced to move more slowly through this portion of the digestive tract, water is absorbed into the intestinal walls. This firms the fecal matter and thereby treats the diarrhea. Imodium, Lopex and Pepto all contain this substance, but most stores have their own "brand" of this medication, so pick up a product containing loperamide.

  Along with the use of this over-the-counter medication, make sure to drink plenty of fluids, especially when dealing with more severe diarrhea. As the salmonella enteritidis infection persists, it's quite easy to become dehydrated through persistent watery stools. Try to continually drink water, as well as other fluids, while the infection runs its course. A good rule of thumb is to get at least 64 ounces of liquids a day. But since diarrhea can change this, drink liquids after every bowel movement.

Medicinal

• While most cases of salmonella enteritidis infection require no more than self-care treatment, it doesn't mean you shouldn't see a doctor when suffering from the condition. Proper diagnosis can really aid in accurately treating and monitoring the infection, so consult with a medical professional. You may need to start a course of prescription antibiotics, namely when the S. enteritidis bacteria migrates into the blood stream. Ampicillin and ciprofloxacin are two of the more common, but your doctor may prescribe you an entirely different medication.

  It is also quite possible that the infection may cause more severe dehydration. In this situation, drinking fluids alone won't actually help hydrate the body, and you'll most likely need to have fluids administered intravenously. In this situation, you may need to be hospitalized for a short period of time.