What is salmonella?

Salmonella infection, also called salmonellosis, is a type of gastroenteritis (or 'gastro'). It is caused by salmonella bacteria. It usually comes from contaminated food, sometimes called 'food poisoning'.

What are the symptoms of salmonella?

Symptoms usually start between 6 hours and 3 days after you have been infected. Symptoms may include:

• fever
• diarrhoea
• loss of appetite
• headache
• abdominal pain and/or stomach cramps
• nausea and vomiting
• blood or mucus in stools (poo)

Symptoms usually last between 3 and 7 days. Symptoms can sometimes last longer.

What causes salmonella?

Salmonella is usually caused by eating undercooked foods from infected animals, such as chicken or eggs. This is because many animals are infected with salmonella bacteria.

You can also get infected if bacteria enter your mouth from:

• other contaminated foods, such as vegetables cut with the same knife as raw chicken
• contaminated water
• handling animals without washing your hands afterwards
• contact with an infected person
• surfaces that have bacteria on them, such as nappies, taps or toilets

If you have been infected, you can spread salmonella for as long as you carry the bacteria in your bowel. Even after you stop having any symptoms, you can spread salmonella for several months.

When should I see my doctor?

See your doctor if your symptoms last longer than a few days, or if you are worried about symptoms. Also seek medical advice if you (or someone near you) has symptoms of salmonella, and:

• your diarrhoea is bloody
• you're at risk of severe salmonella (older people, young children and babies and people with a weak immune system)
• you or your child has a fever
• you're unable to drink enough fluids to stay hydrated
• you think you or your child may be dehydrated

Signs of dehydration in adults and children may include:

• thirst and dry mouth
• less urination (wee) than usual
• tiredness
• feeling faint on standing

Children may also have sunken eyes.

View the urine colour chart to check if you or your child is dehydrated.

How is salmonella diagnosed?

Salmonella is diagnosed by collecting a stool (poo) sample to check for salmonella bacteria. A blood test or urine (wee) test may also be used to check for the bacteria.

Salmonellosis is a notifiable disease. This means that if you're diagnosed, your doctor must inform the Department of Health. This helps monitor and track cases, find outbreaks and improve healthcare responses.

How is salmonella treated?

Most people recover within about a week and do not need treatment. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics if you have severe symptoms or are at high risk of complications. Avoid medicine to prevent vomiting or diarrhoea, unless your doctor prescribes them.

Rest at home and drink a lot of fluids, such as water or oral rehydration drinks. You can buy these from your pharmacy. If you are very sick or can't drink, you may need to have fluids through a needle into your vein (known as intravenous or IV fluids).

Babies should continue breastfeeding or drinking their usual formula. Ask your doctor if they need oral rehydration solution.

What are the complications of salmonella?

Salmonella infections can lead to complications, especially if you are at risk of severe illness. Complications of salmonella may lead to severe dehydration or arthritis.

Specific types of salmonella can cause typhoid fever and paratyphoid fever. If left untreated, it may lead to bleeding in your digestive system.

Can salmonella be prevented?

You can prevent salmonella infection by handling, storing and cooking food safely.

Avoid high-risk foods such as:

• raw or undercooked chicken
• cracked or dirty eggs
• unwashed fruits and vegetables
• unpasteurised milk products

Read more on food safety.

Good hand hygiene is important to prevent salmonella. Wash your hands:

• after using the toilet
• after changing nappies
• after touching animals
• before and after preparing food
• before eating

Read more on personal hygiene.

If you have salmonella, you should:

• wash clothing or bedding with vomit or diarrhoea with detergent and hot water
• clean contaminated surfaces such as toilets with detergent and hot water, and disinfect with a bleach-based product
• stay home from school or work, and avoid contact with other people for at least 24 hours after your symptoms stop
• if you work in healthcare, childcare or the food industry, wait at least 48 hours after your symptoms stop before returning to work
• avoid preparing food for other people for at least 24 hours after your symptoms stop

Preventing salmonella when you travel

Typhoid and paratyphoid are diseases that are caused by specific types of salmonella bacteria. These types are common in Asia, the Pacific islands, Africa, the Middle East, as well as in Central and South America.

To prevent these while traveling:

• avoid foods that may be contaminated, such as salads, raw or cold seafood and cold meat
• use bottled water for drinking and for brushing your teeth
• avoid ice in drinks
• avoid washed or cut fruit

Resources and support

If you're looking for more information on preventing salmonella, there are some helpful resources available:

• The Australian Government has an information page on salmonella surveillance and reporting.
• NSW Health has a fact sheet on salmonella.

• Queensland Health has information on preventing salmonella from eggs.
• The Food Safety Information Council has tips on safe food handling.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If your child has symptoms of salmonella, speak to a maternal child health nurse.

Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or video call. Available 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week.

Looking for information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people?

The Food Safety Information Council offers resources about food safety for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

Do you prefer to read in languages other than English?

The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne has information on gastroenteritis (gastro) in many community languages.