Salmonella Infection

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Salmonella (sal-mo-NEL-ah) infection, also called salmonellosis, is an infection that affects the lining of the small intestine (bowel). Salmonellosis is a common gastrointestinal (digestive) infection caused by a bacteria (germ) called Salmonella. Salmonella bacteria enter the small intestine and inflame (swell) its lining causing diarrhea (loose bowel movements). The small intestine is a part of the digestive system where food is broken down. It is the tube that runs from the stomach to the colon (large intestine). Salmonella infection usually lasts for 4 to 7 days and gets better even without treatment.
  
  
• Signs and symptoms may include fever, vomiting (throwing up), nausea, or crampy abdominal (stomach) pain. You may also get dehydrated (lose too much fluid) due to vomiting and diarrhea. Blood or stool (bowel movement) tests may be done to check if you have a salmonella infection. Treatment, such as using rehydrating solutions, aims to replace the fluid that was lost to prevent dehydration. Your caregiver may also suggest that you take antibiotic medicine to kill the germs. A salmonella infection may be prevented by drinking only clean water, cooking food thoroughly, and frequent hand washing. With treatment, such as medicines and fluids, you may fully recover and resume normal activities.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

Not treating a salmonella infection may cause serious problems, such as infections to other body organs or dehydration. Dehydration is when too much fluid and electrolytes (mineral salts) are lost from your body. When this happens, you may pass out or have seizures (convulsions). Your kidneys and other organs may not work properly, which may lead to death. A salmonella infection may also spread to your blood, heart, gall bladder, bone tissues, or meninges (coverings of the brain). With treatment, you may fully recover. Ask your caregiver if you are worried or have questions about your infection, medicine, or care.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Informed consent: You have the right to understand your health condition in words that you know. You should be told what tests, treatments, or procedures may be done to treat your condition. Your doctor should also tell you about the risks and benefits of each treatment. You may be asked to sign a consent form that gives caregivers permission to do certain tests, treatments, or procedures. If you are unable to give your consent, someone who has permission can sign this form for you. A consent form is a legal piece of paper that tells exactly what will be done to you. Before giving your consent, make sure all your questions have been answered so that you understand what may happen.

Diet:

• You may not be able to eat solid food for a period of time. You may only be allowed to drink liquids to rest your intestines. You may drink water, broth, apple juice, or lemon-lime soda. You may also suck on ice chips or eat gelatin. As you improve, you may need to increase the amount of electrolytes, sugar, and proteins in your diet. Start eating a variety of healthy foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and yogurt.
  
  
• A caregiver, called a dietitian or nutritionist, may talk to you about the best liquids for you to drink. He may also give you an oral rehydration solution (ORS) to drink. An ORS has the right amounts of water, salts, and sugar your body needs to replace body fluids. You may also drink other liquids that have water, sugar, and salt, such as juices, milk, or sports drinks. These drinks may help prevent dehydration.

Intake and output: Your caregivers may need to know the amount of liquid you are getting. They may also need to know how much you are urinating. Men 19 years old and older should drink about 3.0 Liters of liquid each day (close to 13 eight-ounce cups). Women 19 years old and older should drink about 2.2 Liters of liquid each day (close to 9 eight-ounce cups). Certain foods also contain liquid. You may need more or less liquid each day. Ask your caregiver how much liquid you should have each day. Ask caregivers if they need to measure or collect your urine before you dispose of it.

IV: An IV is a tube placed in your vein for giving medicine or liquids. This tube is capped or connected to tubing and liquid.

Medicines:

• Antinausea medicine: This medicine may be given to calm your stomach and control vomiting (throwing up).
  
  
• Antibiotics: Antibiotics may be given to help treat or prevent an infection caused by germs called bacteria.

Tests: You may need any of the following tests to help caregivers plan your treatment.

• Blood tests: You may need blood taken for tests. The blood can be taken from a blood vessel in your hand, arm, or the bend in your elbow. It is tested to see how your body is doing. It can give your caregivers more information about your health condition. You may need to have blood drawn more than once.
  
  
• Stool sample: A sample of your stool or bowel movement (BM) is sent to a lab for tests. The stool may show what germ is causing your illness. This helps caregivers learn what medicine is best to treat you.

Treatment options: You may have any of the following:

• Oral rehydrating solutions: Caregivers may give you an oral rehydration solution (ORS) to drink. An ORS has the right amounts of water, salts, and sugar your body needs to replace body fluids. This may help prevent dehydration.
  
  
• Intravenous therapy: If you are dehydrated, you may need to stay in the hospital to receive intravenous (IV) fluids. IV fluids are solutions that contain water, mineral salts, sugars, and proteins. These are given through a tube placed in a vein.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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