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# Salmonella poisoning - what you need to know
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/salmonella_poisoning_0427141150/
- Published: 2014-04-27T12:47:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T16:15:59.000Z
- Description: A consumer explainer on Salmonella: the bacteria bring diarrhea, fever, cramps and vomiting 12 to 72 hours after exposure and clear within 4 to 7 days without treatment in healthy people. Antibiotics matter only if the infection reaches the bloodstream.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Biological, Food Safety, #vivvo-import

From time to time, food products are recalled due to Salmonella contamination. But many food consumers may not fully understand the risk of Salmonella. The fact is, Salmonella is not risky for healthy people

**What is Salmonella?**

Salmonella is a group of bacteria including salmonella typhimurium that is the most common cause of food poisoning in the U.S. Keep in mind that not all bacteria are bad. Actually, some bacteria such as probiotics are beneficial. Only pathogenic bacteria or bacteria that cause diseases are bad.

**What are Salmonella symptoms?**

Salmonella can cause symptoms including diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps and vomiting. The symptoms can come 12 to 72 hours after ingesting Salmonella contaminated foods (Incubation period). The symptoms can last 4 to 7 days.

**Is Salmonella treatment needed?**

Healthy people do not need any treatment. The symptoms will be gone in 4 to 7 days without any treatment. Healthy people who ingest Salmonella contaminated foods and develop Salmonella symptoms can drink plenty of fluids such as chicken soup and get rest. If the symptoms are severe, then go to a hospital to get treatment. Antibiotic treatment is only needed when the infection spreads to the blood stream, which is a dangerous condition.

Older people, people who live with chronic diseases, particularly immunity promised diseases such as AIDS or patients using immunity-depressants such as transplant receivers, and infants are at high risk of developing complications after they get Salmonella infection or ingest Salmonella contaminated foods. These people should avoid use certain foods that are more likely to be contaminated with Salmonella than other foods.

**What are the foods that may be contaminated with Salmonella?**

Foods that may be contaminated with Salmonella include eggs, poultry, meat, unpasteurized milk or juice, raw fruits, vegetables such as alfalfa sprouts, melons, cheese, spices and nuts. Certain animals may harbor Salmonella. These animals include reptiles like snakes, turtles and lizards, amphibians or frogs, birds (baby chicks) and pet food and pet treats. People who touch these animals and do not wash hands before eating foods or meals are a risk of Salmonella poisoning.

**How can Salmonella poisoning be prevented?**

Although Salmonella does not pose any high risk in healthy people, it can still cause inconvenience. The ways to avoid it include the following

Do not eat or drink high-risk foods including raw or lightly cooked eggs, undercooked ground beef and poultry and unpasteurized milk

Keep raw foods refrigerated before cooking

Wash hands with soap and warm water thoroughly before handling food. Clean surfaces that have had contact with high risk foods

Separate cooked food from ready-to-eat foods.

Cook a food to a safe internal temperature to destroy pathogenic bacteria.

Chill foods quickly after serving and when moving from one place to another

Wash hands after contact with animals

In a word, Salmonella poisoning is not so dangerous to healthy people. But certain people are at high risk of Salmonella infection. (DL)