How to Diagnose Salmonella

Salmonella is a digestive infection. There is a group of bacteria that cause salmonella. One type even causes typhoid fever, an all too common deadly disease in underdeveloped areas. However, other types of salmonella are not generally deadly. The main concern is avoiding dehydration and observing the infection so that it does not spread beyond the intestines. Follow these steps to diagnose salmonella so that you can take proper action.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Make a mental list of your symptoms. If you have diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps you could have salmonella. Other possible symptoms include severe headache, vomiting and loss of appetite.

2. Rule out other diseases. The symptoms of salmonella are sometimes called flu-like so consider whether it is flu season.

3. Recall whether your symptoms occurred suddenly. If they appeared slowly or not all at once, then you probably have something else.

4. Request a test for salmonella poisoning. The only way to confidently diagnose salmonella is to find salmonella bacteria in your stools. The presence of this or another type of bacteria is the way to rule out viral gastroenteritis. Tests can also identify what kind of salmonella is causing the infection. Doctors will then decide what kind of medication to prescribe, if any.

5. Track your symptoms. A small number of patients develop Reiter's syndrome, a combination of joint pain, irritated eyes and painful urination.

Tips & Warnings

• Wash any raw food before eating it and cook meats, poultry and seafood thoroughly. Also, wash your hands frequently especially after handling raw food or pets.

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