Salmonella Infection In Kids: Signs, Causes, And Treatment

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Salmonellosis or salmonella infection spreads from contaminated food and occurs due to Salmonella bacteria that affect the gastrointestinal tract. Salmonellosis in children occurs from infection induced by consuming contaminated food (mostly poultry, meat, eggs, or milk) or water. Although the bacteria only causes mild stomach flu in children, it may become fatal if the child’s health is already compromised. The complications can also depend on the salmonella serotype.

Preventive measures include good food practices such as thoroughly cooking food and washing hands with water and soap before eating. Read through to know more about salmonella infection in children, including its causes, symptoms, and treatments.

Signs And Symptoms Of Salmonella Infection

Salmonellosis symptoms can take from six to 72 hours to start after someone ingests the bacteria. In most people, the illness lasts for 4 to 7 days after symptoms begin. The common signs and symptoms of a salmonella infection may include the following (1).

• Abdominal  cramps
• Diarrhea
• Blood in stool
• Fever
• Nausea
• Vomiting

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• Chills
• Headache

Salmonellosis may last up to two to seven days. Although the other symptoms disappear, the bacteria may take more time to clear from the body.

Causes Of Salmonella Infection

Salmonella bacteria live in the intestines of people, animals and birds. Most children may get exposed to bacteria from eating contaminated food. Nontyphoidal salmonella may cause self-limiting gastroenteritis (stomach flu). At the same time, Salmonella typhi may cause enteric fever (typhoid fever).

A child may get salmonella through the following sources (2).

• Consumption of raw eggs; homemade mayonnaise and hollandaise sauce. Although eggshells are a barrier, the infected chicken may produce eggs with salmonella even before the shell is formed.
• Seafood harvested from contaminated water can have salmonella.
• Meat and poultry may get contaminated with feces during the butchering process. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), chicken is a significant factor contributing to salmonella infection. Also, on average, one in 25 chicken packages in the supermarket contain Salmonella.
• Vegetables and fruits may get contaminated from water in the field or during washing.
• Uncooked or cooked foods, vegetables, and salads could become cross-contaminated in the kitchen by contaminated cutting boards, knives, and other utensils.

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• Person-to-person transmission may occur through the fecal-oral route, especially if an infected person does not wash hands after using the toilet.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also reported cases of salmonellosis through contaminated spices. Any food product can be contaminated with salmonella if the safety regimes are not followed while processing it.

Quick fact

Consuming unpasteurized milk and milk products could also cause salmonella infection (3).

Risk Factors

The following factors may increase the risk of developing salmonellosis in children (3).

• Traveling to areas with poor sanitation and salmonella outbreak
• Having pet birds or reptiles

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• Inflammatory bowel disorders that cause damaged intestinal lining, which is favorable for bacteria
• Recent antibiotic use may reduce intestinal flora and impair their ability to fight salmonella
• Excess antacid use reduces stomach acidity and allows more salmonella to survive
• Conditions that cause low immunity, such as AIDS, corticosteroidⁱXA group of steroid hormones produced in the adrenal cortex that are used to reduce inflammation. use, anti-rejection drug treatment after transplant, and sickle cell diseaseⁱXAn inherited condition in which red blood cells become hard, sticky, and sickle-shaped.

Problems with the body’s natural defense system may allow the growth of salmonella in the gastrointestinal tract. Children with immunity-related issues may have more severe and prolonged salmonellosis than other children.

Quick fact

Children under five and those on certain medications are more susceptible to contracting Salmonella infection (6).

Complications

Young children and children with weakened immune systems may have an increased risk of developing the following complications (3) (4).

• Dehydration
• BacteremiaⁱXPresence of bacteria in the blood that may lead to infection.
• MeningitisⁱXInflammation of the brain and spinal cord membranes.
• OsteomyelitisⁱXInfection-induced bone inflammation causing pain.
• EndocarditisⁱXA rare and fatal infection that causes inflammation of the inner lining of the heart.
• Reiter’s syndrome or reactive arthritisⁱXArthritis that occurs after an infection and causes joint pain and inflammation, urinary tract infections, and eye problems.

Intestinal bleeding, perforation, and neurological complications are commonly seen in typhoidal infections. Nontyphoidal salmonellosis often results in dehydration more than other issues.

When To Consult A Doctor?

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You may call the pediatrician if your child has symptoms of salmonellosis. Seek immediate medical care in the following situations (5).

• Bloody diarrhea
• Signs of dehydration, such as increased thirst, dry mouth, reduced urine, and dizziness
• Severe diarrhea for more than two days
• Lethargy
• Unconsciousness

Diagnosis

Symptoms can be suggestive of salmonella infection. Doctors might ask you for a stool sample, which can be sent to a lab and tested for Salmonella bacteria. Multiple samples are often evaluated. Blood tests and blood culture are usually requested for children with fever and gastrointestinal symptoms.

Treatment For Salmonella Infection

Some children may get better without specific medications, and doctors may advise them to consume more fluids to balance the loss. Oral intake of electrolyte solutions is often recommended to prevent dehydration. Hospitalization and intravenous (IV) fluid are required for severe cases (6).

Children with severe symptoms may receive antibiotics prescription. However, the illness may last longer for some children due to antibiotics. Although the symptoms disappear, children should take antibiotics as per prescription to reduce the recurrence.

Salmonella may take several weeks to clear from the body even after the clinical signs go away.

It is not recommended to give diarrheal medications without prescription since the bacteria may not be eliminated from the body if diarrhea is stopped and illness may become prolonged.

Prevention Of Salmonella Infection

The following tips may reduce the risk of salmonella infection in children (7).

• Practicing good hand hygiene. Washing hands with soap under running water before eating and after using the bathroom may reduce contamination
• Peel or wash fruits and vegetables before eating.
• Clean utensils and cutting boards with soap and hot water.
• Disinfect kitchen counters with disinfectants or bleach.

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• Avoid consuming undercooked and uncooked poultry and meat.
• Use a thermometer to know the cooking temperature of poultry and meat and follow the recommended cooking temperatures.
• Get a typhoid vaccine before traveling to high-risk areas.
• Wash hands after touching pets, birds, reptiles, and pet feces.
• Prevent cross-contamination of raw meat with cooked food or utensils. Store raw meat, poultry, and seafood away from other foods in the refrigerator.
• Avoid consumption of raw eggs. In case if your child wants to consume raw eggs, give them pasteurized eggs.

Quick fact

Store high-risk foods at or below 41°F (5°C) or at or above 140°F (60°C) to prevent bacterial growth (10).

Infographic: Potential Sources Of Salmonella Infection In Children

Salmonella infection in children is caused due to the ingestion of the bacteria and can result in several GI symptoms, such as diarrhea, vomiting, and bloody stools. Therefore, knowing the potential sources that can cause the infection can help to avoid and prevent salmonellosis in children. Check out the infographic below to learn about these sources.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Image: Dalle E/MomJunction Design Team

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Dr. Dur Afshar AghaMS

Dr. Dur Afshar Agha is a consultant pediatrician with around 26 years of experience in various medical facilities both in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. She has headed the Department of Preventive Pediatrics at the prestigious, Children’s Hospital and Institute of Child Health in Pakistan and is a life member of the Pakistan Paediatric Association. She has also completed her Post...more

Swati PatwalM.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA

Swati Patwal is a clinical nutritionist, a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) and a toddler mom with more than a decade of experience in diverse fields of nutrition. She started her career as a CSR project coordinator for a healthy eating and active lifestyle project catering to school children. Then she worked as a nutrition faculty and clinical nutrition coach in...more

Rohit GarooBSc, MBA

Rohit Garoo is a writer-turned-editor with over 9 years of experience in content writing, editing, and content marketing. He did his bachelors in Science at St. Xavier's College, Hyderabad, and masters in Business Administration at Osmania University. Also, he holds a certificate in Developmental Psychology from The University of Queensland and loves to expand his knowledge through certifications in various...more

Shinta Liz SunnyM.Tech

Shinta is a biotechnologist who is highly intrigued by science and technology. She holds a master's degree in Biotechnology from Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences and a PG Diploma in cellular and molecular diagnostics from Manipal University. At MomJunction, Shinta writes on mother and child health and wellness. Previously, she worked as a scientist for three years, involved in developing...more