Salmonella: Symptoms, How Long It Lasts, and When You Need Care
Salmonella causes diarrhea, fever and cramps, usually starting 6 hours to 6 days after exposure. Here's how long it lasts, how to recover, and when to get seen.
Salmonella is a bacterial infection, usually from undercooked poultry or eggs, contaminated produce, or contact with reptiles and backyard chickens. It causes diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps, starting 6 hours to 6 days after exposure, and most people get better on their own in 4 to 7 days. Staying hydrated is the main treatment. Young children, older adults, pregnant people and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk and should get seen sooner. Bloody diarrhea, a high fever or signs of dehydration need care.
How people get salmonella
- Undercooked chicken, turkey or eggs, and raw cookie dough
- Unpasteurized milk
- Contaminated produce, sprouts or nut butters
- Cross-contamination in the kitchen from raw meat
- Handling reptiles, turtles, backyard chickens and ducklings, or their cages and water
Symptoms
- Diarrhea, sometimes bloody
- Fever
- Stomach cramps
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache
How long does it last?
Most people feel better within 4 to 7 days. Bowel habits can take weeks to return to normal. Some people carry the bacteria for weeks after recovering, so careful handwashing still matters.
What helps
- Drink plenty of fluids, ideally an oral rehydration solution. Our post on what to drink with vomiting and diarrhea explains how.
- Rest
- Eat bland foods once you can
- Avoid anti-diarrhea medicine if you have a fever or bloody stool, unless a clinician advises it
- Antibiotics usually aren't needed for mild illness, but may be for severe illness or higher-risk people
Preventing salmonella
- Cook poultry to 165°F, and eggs until yolks and whites are firm
- Wash hands, cutting boards and counters after handling raw meat
- Keep raw meat away from ready-to-eat food
- Refrigerate leftovers promptly
- Wash hands after touching reptiles or backyard poultry, and keep them out of the kitchen
When to get seen
Come in for diarrhea lasting more than three days, a fever over 102°F, bloody stools, frequent vomiting, or signs of dehydration, or sooner for a young child, older adult, pregnant person or anyone with a weakened immune system. A clinician can test a stool sample and give IV fluids if needed. See our IV hydration page and our food poisoning post. At an AfterOurs clinic, a standard self-pay visit is $175, and a self-pay in-clinic visit never costs more than $330. We contract with all major commercial and government plans, including Colorado Medicaid and Medicare. See our stomach bug page and the cost and insurance page.
Go to the ER or call 911 if you have signs of serious dehydration (dizziness, confusion, very little or no urine), a lot of blood in the stool, a high fever with a stiff neck or confusion, severe belly pain, or a baby or older adult who is very weak, sleepy or not drinking.
Where to find us
Four clinics across metro Denver, all ages welcome, se habla español:
- Hampden (Southeast Denver): 8 AM–11 PM daily
- Littleton: 8 AM–11 PM daily
- Thornton: 8 AM–11 PM daily
- Highlands: Mon–Fri 5–11 PM, Sat–Sun 8 AM–11 PM
Walk in, or book online.
Medically reviewed by Peter Martinuzzi, MD
This article is general health information, not medical advice for your situation. If you are worried, come in or book a telehealth visit — and if it is an emergency, call 911.