Salmonella Injury or Death is Rare, but Early Treatment Strongly Urged
Can Salmonella kill people who contract it? Yes, but severe illness is rare and death even more unusual.
Here’s what the CDC says about what you can expect from Salmonella illness: Most persons infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12–72 hours after infection. Infection is usually diagnosed by culture of a stool sample. The illness usually lasts 4 – 7 days. Although most people recover without treatment, severe infections may occur. Infants, elderly persons, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely than others to develop severe illness. When severe infection occurs, Salmonella may spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and then to other body sites, and can cause death. In these severe cases, antibiotic treatment may be necessary.
More in tomorrow's blog.