Medical treatments and approaches to salmonellosis

Medical treatments and approaches to salmonellosis

Medical treatments

Rehydration

Most people recover on their own after 4-7 days, on average. The usual treatment consists of a simple rehydration : drink lots of water, soups, broths, etc. If necessary, prepare a rehydration solution (see box below).

Medical treatments and approaches to salmonellosis: understand everything in 2 min

Rehydration solutions

Recipe from the World Health Organization

  • Mix 1 liter of sterile water, 6 tbsp. sugar and 1 tsp. of salt.

Other recipe

  • Mix 360 ml of unsweetened orange juice with 600 ml of cooled boiled water, plus 1/2 tsp. of table salt.

Mode of conservation. The solutions can be stored for 12 h at room temperature and 24 h in the refrigerator.

See a doctor if needed

When diarrhea or fever is important, that the Dehydration settles or the person is weakened, a doctor should be consulted. A stool analysis test can detect the presence of salmonella and also to know the precise strain of bacteria (there are several types of salmonella). Sometimes it is necessary to be hospitalized and rehydrated intravenously.

Feeding advice

Take meal lighter but more frequent, avoiding excess fat, dietary fiber and spices. Also avoid drinking alcohol, which dehydrates.

As long as the discomfort persists, it is better to avoid consuming the following foods, which worsen the symptoms. cramps and diarrhea.

  • Dairy products;
  • Citrus juices;
  • Meat;
  • Spicy dishes;
  • The sweets;
  • Foods high in fat (including fried foods);
  • Foods that contain wheat flour (bread, pasta, pizza, etc.);
  • Corn and bran, which are high in fiber;
  • Fruits, with the exception of bananas, which would be rather beneficial, even in young children from 5 months to 12 months;
  • Raw vegetables.

Once nausea missing, we are reintroducing gradually a solid diet by focusing on certain foods that are easier to digest. Starches like white rice, unsweetened cereals, white bread and crackers are usually well tolerated. Stop eating if the discomfort returns. Then gradually add fruits and vegetables (potatoes, cucumbers, squash), yogurt then protein foods (lean meat, fish, eggs, cheese, etc.).

pharmaceuticals

benefits antibiotics are given if the infection crosses the intestinal barrier and enters the bloodstream (a bacteremia). This is the case for about 8% of salmonella infections. Children are treated with ceftriaxone or azithromycin and adults with levofloxacin or azithromycin. Treatment normally lasts 5-7 days. Its duration is prolonged for people with weakened immune systems. Some strains of salmonella have developed resistance to antibiotics. It therefore happens that a second treatment is required.

Warning. Medicines for diarrhea, such as loperamide (Imodium®) and bismuth salicylate (Pepto-Bismol®), are not recommended because they prolong the duration of the infection.7.

Complementary approaches 

According to our research (September 2010), there are no complementary approaches supported by sufficiently convincing studies for the treatment of salmonellosis.

The probiotics are useful in relieving infectious diarrhea (rotavirus, E. coli, tourista) in addition to the rehydration, according to several studies. On the other hand, the researchers did not evaluate their effect on salmonellosis in particular. For more information, see our Probiotics sheet.

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