How to Test for Salmonella

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Salmonella is a bacterial disease that humans contract from undercooked food or contaminated water. Most people with salmonella have little to no symptoms and recover within days without specific treatment. However, it is important for small children, older adults, and people with weaker immune systems to seek medical attention if salmonella symptoms are present. If you think you may have salmonella, recognize the symptoms and get a test done by your health care provider. [1]

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Watching for Symptoms of Salmonella

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  1. Most people develop signs and symptoms 12 to 72 hours after being exposed to the bacteria. A common symptom of salmonella infection is vomiting, which is the result of eating contaminated food. Your body’s natural response is to void the contexts of your stomach. You may feel very sick and vomit multiple times a day until the infection has left your body.
    • Do not eat or drink anything for several hours after vomiting. This may induce more vomiting. Instead, sip some water or suck on ice chips every 15 minutes for 3-4 hours. [2]
  2. Watery diarrhea is a chief symptom of salmonella infection. It usually comes on suddenly, and your stool may be bloody or contain mucus.
    • Diarrhea may last up to 10 days, although it may take several months before bowels return to normal. [3]
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  3. Some other common symptoms of salmonella are fever and chills that usually accompany a headache. This occurs because salmonella causes your body temperature to rise.
    • Use a thermometer to check your temperature. If your fever exceeds 104 degrees Fahrenheit, seek medical attention immediately.
  4. Dehydration is a common complication associated with salmonella infection because a lot of fluid is lost from vomiting and runny stools. Dehydration can cause a number of medical issues and hinder your body’s ability to combat the illness and get better. Common signs of mild to moderate dehydration include less frequent urination, dark colored urine, dry mouth, nose, and eyes, headache, and fatigue.
    • Severe dehydration symptoms, such as increased heart rate, low blood pressure, confusion, and seizure require immediate medical attention. [4]
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Part 2
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Going to the Doctor

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  1. You do not need to see a doctor for a typical case of salmonella infection that gets better after a few days. However, there is more concern for people of certain age groups, such as infants, children under 5, and the elderly.
    • Other groups that are at risk for severe infection include those with a compromised immune system (HIV infection, cancer treatment), have sickle cell disease, or are taking medications that suppress the stomach acid. [5]
  2. Be prepared to let your doctor know when your symptoms began, the frequency of vomiting or diarrhea, if your vomit or stool contains visible blood, if you have a fever, or if you’ve recently traveled outside the country. [6]
    • Tell your physician about all medicines you are taking, both prescription and non-prescription. This includes herbs, vitamins, supplements, or any illicit drugs you may use. [7]
  3. During this step, your doctor will assess vital signs (pulse, temperature, blood pressure) and check for dehydration. He or she may also lightly touch your abdomen to check for pain and tenderness. [8]
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Part 3
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Getting Tested for Salmonella

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  1. Your health care provider will give you detailed instructions to collect the stool sample. You may collect the sample at the doctor’s office, or asked to do it at home. Results from the stool test will help your doctor decide which antibiotics are the right ones for you if needed.
    • Once you return the sample to your doctor, it will be sent to a lab, and then incubated for a couple of days before a technician tests any bacterial growth. It may take 2-3 days to get your results.
    • Normal test results are negative, meaning you don’t have a salmonella infection. A positive result means you have a salmonella infection. [9]
  2. In some cases, salmonella may spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and then to other parts of the body. This is called bacteremia. If your doctor suspects this has happened, he will need to do a blood test to confirm the diagnosis.
    • Bacteremia only affects about 5% of people who get salmonella. [10]
    • Before your blood test, check with your doctor to see if there’s anything you need to do in advance, such as restrict your diet. This is important so that your test will provide accurate data. For example, some tests may require discontinued use of certain medications. [11]
  3. Radiological and imaging findings in salmonella diagnosis are rare, due to the fact that acute salmonella is typically easy to treat. For elderly patients, laboratory imaging tests may be done for rapid diagnosis to rule out vascular infections caused by salmonella. Imaging procedures may include X-rays, ultrasounds, or CT scans. [12]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/salmonella/symptoms-causes/syc-20355329
      2. ↑ https://www.uhs.umich.edu/diarrheavomiting
      3. ↑ https://www.verywellhealth.com/salmonella-symptoms-2634330
      4. ↑ https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/food-poisoning/qa/what-are-the-symptoms-of-dehydration-from-salmonella-infection
      5. ↑ https://www.verywellhealth.com/salmonella-symptoms-2634330
      6. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/salmonella/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355335
      7. ↑ https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=167&contentid=salmonella_culture_stool
      8. ↑ https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-salmonella-is-diagnosed-4163861
      9. ↑ https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=167&contentid=salmonella_culture_stool
      1. ↑ https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=167&contentid=salmonella_culture_stool
      2. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/salmonella/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355335
      3. ↑ https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-salmonella-is-diagnosed-4163861

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