Most Salmonella infections go away on their own within 5 to 7 days.
Medicines are not usually needed.
If your child's vomiting and diarrhea are bad enough, she can become badly dehydrated. She may need to be put in the hospital.
Controlling your child's intake of food and liquid can help stop her vomiting and diarrhea.
Most vomiting will stop within about 8-12 hours with the right care. Some
doctors recommend using an oral rehydration solution (ORS) as described below.
Other doctors recommend taking the following steps:
Stop formula and breast feedings. Pump breast milk and save it. Stop all liquids and solid foods in
Give frequent, small amounts of fluids. Give your child 1 ounce of clear
liquids every hour. Have your child take small sips.
Do not use plain water. Special clear liquids called oral rehydration
solutions (ORS) are best.
Some doctors say that children over 2 years old can have Gatorade, soda,
clear soups, tea, Jell-o, and Popsicles. Ask your doctor.
Do not give your child diet soda, sugar-free drinks, or caffeine.
If your child doesn't vomit after 8-12 hours, add solid foods. For infants,
try rice cereal with water or ORS. For toddlers, try dry cereal,
dry crackers, or dry toast.
If your infant doesn't vomit after 12 to 24 hours, start breastfeeding
or begin giving formula. Some doctors recommend giving half-strength formula
for 12 hours, then full-strength after 12 hours. Ask your doctor.
Add food and liquids slowly as your child is able to keep them down.
If there is diarrhea but no vomiting, it's usually okay to give your
Make sure your child is drinking plenty of fluids.
Feed your child a "B-R-A-T" diet for 1 or 2 days. It is made of bananas,
rice (cooked white rice, rice cereal, rice cakes), applesauce, and tea
or dry toast (no butter or jelly).
Keep your child's diet bland until diarrhea is better. Plain pasta,
baked chicken, boiled potatoes, cooked vegetables, and soups are good.
Avoid spicy and fried food.
If diarrhea doesn't get better, limit high-sugar foods like Kool-Aid
and apple juice.
Do not use over-the-counter medications until you have checked with
Oral rehydration solution (ORS)
Vomiting and diarrhea can cause dehydration (loss of fluid in the body).
Your child should drink fluids if she has had vomiting and diarrhea.
Drinking in small, frequent sips is best.
Your child might need an ORS (such as Pedialyte or Ricelyte) to help
replace body fluids.
Call the doctor to find out which ORS to use.
Give your child the ORS in a dropper, spoon, or cup.
If your child has diarrhea but no vomiting, don't limit how much ORS
The doctor can tell you the smallest amount of ORS that is okay to give
Wait 30-60 minutes after your child has last vomited to begin giving
her the ORS. Give the ORS in small amounts and often (1 teaspoon a minute).
Increase the amount slowly, as your child is able to keep it down.
You can breastfeed and give formula while using the ORS.
How long does it last?
Symptoms usually happen within 12 to 72 hours after being infected.
The infection usually lasts 5 to 7 days.
Can it be prevented?
Yes, Salmonella infections can be prevented.
Wash hands often to prevent the spread of germs.
Keep eggs refrigerated.
Throw away cracked eggs.
Cook eggs thoroughly.
Do not eat foods that have raw eggs in them. Examples are cookie dough, hollandaise sauce, homemade eggnog, homemade Caesar and other salad dressings, homemade ice cream, homemade mayonnaise, tiramisu, and frostings.
Be sure to fully cook your chicken and meat. Do not leave it pink in the middle.
Wash fruits and vegetables before eating.
Drink only pasteurized milk.
Do not cross-contaminate foods. Food put on places that were first used for raw meat can pick up the germs.
Raw meats should be kept away from fruits and vegetables, cooked foods, and ready-to-eat foods.
Hands, counter tops, cutting boards, knives, etc. should be washed after touching raw foods.
Wash your hands before and after working with food, and between working with different foods.
If you have Salmonella, you should not work with food until you are no longer sick.
Wash your hands after touching pets and other animals, especially reptiles and birds.
Remember, WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN!
When should I call the doctor?
If you have questions or concerns about your child's condition, call the doctor. If your child is very dehydrated, she needs immediate attention.
Call the doctor if
your child is under 6 months old and has a temperature above 104 degrees
F (or 40 degrees C).
your child is under 2 years old and has vomiting or diarrhea.
stomach pain is not better in 2 hours, vomiting is not better in 12
hours, or diarrhea isn't better after 3 days.
your child's mouth is dry, she is bloated, or she won't take liquids.
there is blood in the vomit or diarrhea or bile (yellow-green liquid)
in the vomit.
your child has pain with urination, a bad headache, neck pain, or a
your child is unable to take the medicine she needs.
Go to the emergency room if
your child is very thirsty.
your child doesn't urinate in 8-12 hours or if your infant doesn't urinate
in 4-6 hours.
urine is very dark.
your child is sleeping a lot or has very little energy.
there are no tears when your child cries.
Salmonella are germs that cause diarrhea.
People can become sick after eating food or water with animal feces in it.
Such foods include eggs, chicken, beef, and unwashed fruits and vegetables.
You can also get sick from eating food touched by someone who did not wash his or her hands.
Those most at risk are infants, pregnant women, the elderly, and people who cannot fight infections well.
The main symptoms include vomiting an diarrhea, fever, and stomach pain.
If your child is vomiting, stop all food and liquids. After 30 minutes of not vomiting, begin to add food and liquids slowly as she is able to keep them down.
Feed your child a bland diet if she has diarrhea.
Vomiting and diarrhea can cause dehydration. Dehydration can be treated with an ORS.
Most Salmonella infections go away on their own within 5 to 7 days.
Salmonella infections can be prevented. It is most important to wash your hands often, especially after using the bathroom, working with foods, and after touching pets and other animals.
Call the doctor if vomiting, diarrhea, or aches and pains do not get better within reasonable time.
If your child is very dehydrated, she needs immediate medical attention.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Salmonella. 2003, October 24. (cited 2004, March 11). URL: http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/fact/salmonella.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Slamonellosis. 2003, June 9. (cited 2004, March 11). URL: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/salmonellosis_g.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Salmonella enteritidis. 2003, March 7. (cited 2004, March 11). URL: http://cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/salment_g.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Salmonella Infection (salmonellosis) and Animals. 2003, February 14. (cited 2004, March 11). URL: http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/diseases/salmonellosis.htm
Food and Drug Administration. Playing It Safe With Eggs. 2001, February. (cited 2004, March 11). URL: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/fs-eggs.html
McKinley Health Center, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Salmonella. 2000, September 29. (cited 2004, March 11). URL: http://www.mckinley.uiuc.edu/health-info/dis-cond/commdis/salmonel.htm
National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Salmonellosis. 2002, April. (cited 2004, March 11). URL: http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/foodbornedis.htm#f
"Virtual Pediatric Hospital", the Virtual Pediatric Hospital logo, and "A digital library of pediatric information" are all Trademarks of Donna M. D'Alessandro, M.D. and Michael P. D'Alessandro, M.D.
Virtual Pediatric Hospital is funded in whole by Donna M. D'Alessandro, M.D. and Michael P. D'Alessandro, M.D. Advertising is not accepted.
Your personal information remains confidential and is not sold, leased, or given to any third party be they reliable or not.
The information contained in Virtual Pediatric Hospital is not a substitute for the medical care and advice of your physician. There may be variations in treatment that your physician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.