Transmission

• Salmonella bacteria are usually transmitted to humans through food contaminated with animal feces. This is most often meat and dairy products, although it can also occur with vegetables.
  
  

Course

• The symptoms of salmonella enterocolitis typically develop within three days of infection. This illness usually resolves without treatment within a week of the onset of symptoms.
  
  

Typical Cases

• Patients with healthy immune systems usually experience only those symptoms common to most gastrointestinal illnesses. These include abdominal cramping, diarrhea and fever.
  
  

Hospitalization

• Patients with salmonella enterocolitis may need to be hospitalized if they have compromised immune systems. The diarrhea can become so severe as to require emergency hydration, and the infection can spread from the intestines into the bloodstream.
  
  

Lasting Effects

• Most patients with salmonella enterocolitis regain their normal bowel habits within several months. Rare cases may result in Reiter's syndrome, a chronic condition characterized by joint pain, eye irritation and painful urination.