From the Guidelines
The treatment for Salmonella infection symptoms primarily involves supportive care and adequate hydration, with antibiotics reserved for severe cases, infections that spread beyond the intestines, or in high-risk individuals, as recommended by the 2017 Infectious Diseases Society of America clinical practice guidelines 1. Most cases of Salmonella infection resolve on their own within 4-7 days without specific treatment.
- Drink plenty of fluids to replace those lost through diarrhea, such as water, clear broths, or oral rehydration solutions like Pedialyte.
- For fever and pain management, over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) can be used as directed.
- Avoid anti-diarrheal medications like loperamide (Imodium) as they can prolong the infection by preventing bacteria from being expelled. Antibiotics are generally not recommended for uncomplicated cases because they may extend the period of bacterial shedding and can contribute to antibiotic resistance, as noted in a study from 2001 1. However, antibiotics may be prescribed for severe cases, infections that spread beyond the intestines, or in high-risk individuals (such as infants, older adults, or those with weakened immune systems), with common antibiotics used including ciprofloxacin, azithromycin, or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, typically for 5-7 days, as suggested by guidelines from 2009 1. Seek medical attention if symptoms are severe, persist beyond a week, or if you experience high fever, bloody stools, or signs of dehydration.
- The choice of antibiotic should be guided by local susceptibility patterns and travel history, as recommended by the 2017 guidelines 1.
- Empiric antimicrobial therapy should be considered in immunocompromised people with severe illness and bloody diarrhea, as stated in the 2017 guidelines 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Infectious Diarrhea caused by Escherichia coli (enterotoxigenic strains), Campylobacter jejuni, Shigella boydii†, Shigella dysenteriae, Shigella flexneri or Shigella sonnei† when antibacterial therapy is indicated. Typhoid Fever (Enteric Fever) caused by Salmonella typhi.
The treatment for Salmonella infection symptoms, such as diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps, is ciprofloxacin when antibacterial therapy is indicated, specifically for Typhoid Fever (Enteric Fever) caused by Salmonella typhi 2.
- Key points:
- Ciprofloxacin is indicated for the treatment of infections caused by susceptible strains of designated microorganisms.
- The drug is effective against Salmonella typhi, which causes Typhoid Fever.
- Ciprofloxacin should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria.
From the Research
Salmonella Infection Symptoms
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Abdominal cramps
Treatment for Salmonella Infection Symptoms
- Antibiotic treatment is not recommended for mild to moderate gastroenteritis by nontyphoidal Salmonella in immunocompetent adults or children more than 1 year of age 3
- Antibiotic treatment is recommended for nontyphoidal Salmonella infections in infants less than 3 months of age, because they are at higher risk for bacteremia and extraintestinal complications 3
- The choice of antibiotics for the management of typhoid fever should be guided by the local resistance pattern, with recommendations including using an extended spectrum cephalosporin, azithromycin, or a fluoroquinolone 3
- For severe Salmonella infections in children, short treatment with pefloxacin may be an alternative choice 4
- Antibiotics appear to increase adverse effects and tend to prolong salmonella detection in stools, with no evidence of a clinical benefit of antibiotic therapy in otherwise healthy children and adults with non-severe salmonella diarrhoea 5
Antibiotic Therapy
- Fluoroquinolones are the drugs of choice for empiric treatment of acute infectious diarrhea in adults, while third generation cephalosporins are recommended for children 6
- Alternative treatments may include azithromycin and imipenem in life-threatening systemic Salmonella infections 6
- Aminoglycosides are considered ineffective in gastrointestinal salmonelloses 6
Prevention and Control
- Adequate sanitation protocols for food processing and handling, as well as hand hygiene, are the most important measures to prevent the spread and outbreaks of Salmonella infections and typhoid fever 3
- Vaccines are available against Salmonella Typhi, and the WHO recommends their use in endemic areas and for outbreak control 3