Signs & Symptoms of Salmonella in an Open Wound

Salmonella is caused by e.coli, a bacterium that lives in your digestive tract and helps digest food. When e.coli gets into other parts of the body, however, it can create serious health problems that can cause a variety of illnesses and symptoms. While e.coli is most often ingested by eating contaminated food, it can also enter the body through an open wound. If you have salmonella in an open wound, you will start to experience many of the symptoms that you would if you had regular food poisoning, but they may be much more severe. Do not put off seeing a doctor; visit your physician or go to a hospital immediately if you suspect signs and symptoms of salmonella in an open wound.

Nausea and Vomiting

• A salmonella infection can take up to 48 hours to manifest itself, although usually it only takes a few hours. Nausea and vomiting are probably the most common symptoms. They will continue unabated even after the stomach is empty -- particularly if the source of the infection is an open wound rather than contaminated food. These symptoms will also be accompanied by general abdominal pain.

Gastrointestinal Difficulties

• In addition to the nausea, salmonella causes severe diarrhea. It can lead to serious dehydration over the course of the infection and often will require a trip to the doctor or the hospital. There may be blood in stool and also in urine during this time.

Miscellaneous Symptoms

• Salmonella is also frequently accompanied by fever, chills, headaches and dizziness. You may also develop a cough and even cramps if the infection has impacted your neurological system.

Physical Appearance of the Wound Site

• If an open wound has been contaminated by salmonella, then the likelihood is good that the wound may also appear infected. After all, fecal matter is one of the most common transport mechanisms for this infection. Check the wound to see if it is red, heated, swollen or full of pus. The area may be bright red or discolored gray or green due to pus.