How to Know if You Have Salmonella

Symptoms usually develop 12 to 72 hours after infection. Symptoms typically last 4 to 7 days and can include:

• Dehydration (fluid loss), especially among infants and the elderly
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Headache
• Stomach cramps
• Vomiting

Salmonella illness can be severe in persons with weakened immune systems.

Tips for Preventing Salmonella Infection

• Cook poultry, ground beef, and eggs thoroughly. Do not eat or drink foods containing raw eggs, or raw (unpasteurized) milk.
• If you are served undercooked meat, poultry or eggs in a restaurant, don't hesitate to send it back to the kitchen for further cooking.
• Wash hands, kitchen work surfaces, and utensils with soap and water immediately after they have been in contact with raw meat or poultry.
• Be particularly careful with foods prepared for infants, the elderly, and the immunocompromised.
• Wash hands with soap after handling reptiles, birds, or baby chicks, and after contact with pet feces. Read more information about pocket pet safety.
• Avoid direct or even indirect contact between reptiles (turtles, iguanas, other lizards, snakes) and infants or immunocompromised persons.
• Don't work with raw poultry or meat, and an infant (e.g., feed, change diaper) at the same time.