Symptoms and treatment of salmonellosis in adults and children
Salmonellosis is an infectious pathology of the gastrointestinal tract caused by Salmonella. Manifested by pronounced intoxication and dehydration. But bacterial isolation is also possible without any clinical picture.
Characteristics of the causative agent, types of pathology
Before learning about the signs of salmonella infection, you should familiarize yourself with the characteristics of the pathogen.
Salmonella belong to anaerobes (organisms that can exist without oxygen). These are sticks with a high degree of mobility. Salmonella can live:
- in water - about five years;
- in the soil - up to 18 months;
- in meat - up to six months on average;
- on raw eggshell - from two and a half to three weeks.
Salmonella die after 5-10 minutes when heated to 70 degrees Celsius. But if they are found in whole pieces of meat, then they can withstand boiling for a certain time. And eggs die after 4 minutes when boiled.
The causative agent of salmonellosis can lead to the development of the following forms of the infectious process:
- gastrointestinal salmonellosis (with damage to the stomach and small intestine);
- generalized salmonellosis (with damage to most organs);
- bacterial isolation.
The gastrointestinal form has the following varieties:
- gastric;
- gastroenteric;
- gastroenterocolitic.
The generalized form manifests itself in the form of typhoid or septic salmonellosis.
The release of bacteria can be acute, chronic and transient.
Ways of disease spread
The reservoir ("accumulator") and source of Salmonella are domestic livestock and poultry, as well as some wild animals.
Infection occurs when a person comes into contact with sick carriers - when caring for them, slaughtering them, eating them. The person himself can also be a source of infection.
How is salmonellosis transmitted? The disease is transmitted by the fecal-oral route. Transmission occurs mainly through meat and dairy products, as well as poultry eggs.
Human susceptibility to salmonellosis is considered high. Although immunity is produced, it is unstable - it "works" for up to one year.
Symptoms
The incubation period of salmonellosis lasts on average from several hours to several days. Manifestations depend on the form of the disease.
The gastroenteric variant has an acute onset and the following symptoms:
- hyperthermia;
- headaches;
- pain in the muscles;
- spastic abdominal pains;
- nausea and vomiting (frequent);
- diarrhea At the same time, the stool is watery, frothy, with a characteristic unpleasant smell.
The main manifestations of the gastroenterocolitic variant:
- stomach pains;
- excretions in large quantities (on the 2-3rd day the amount decreases). Blood and mucus appear in the feces;
- tenesmus – false urges to defecate.
The gastric variant is the lightest and shortest type of salmonellosis. Symptoms of salmonellosis in children and adults in this case:
- sharp onset;
- pains in the upper part of the abdomen;
- nausea and repeated vomiting without relief;
- signs of intoxication (headaches, hyperthermia, general weakness) are present, but they are not as pronounced as with the gastroenteric variant.
There is no diarrhea.
Symptoms of the typhoid variant:
- the disease begins with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea;
- these signs subside, but headaches, sleep disturbances, weakness appear;
- hyperthermia;
- possible rash on the skin.
The septic variant mainly begins with signs of an impression of the stomach and intestines. Further develop:
- persistent fever (hyperthermia and chills that develop at the same time);
- pronounced sweating.
Possible formation of purulent cells in the lungs, kidneys, bladder, endocardium.
The examination revealed pallor of the skin, distension of the abdomen and its tenderness upon palpation.
Diagnostics
To confirm the diagnosis, additional diagnostic methods of various forms of salmonellosis are involved - the most informative of them are laboratory ones:
- detection of salmonella under a microscope in vomitus and feces;
- bacteriological research - inoculation of biomaterial on nutrient media and analysis of colonies;
- serological method - detection of specific antibodies;
- biochemical blood analysis - with its help, the loss of trace elements is detected.
Treatment of salmonellosis in adults and children
On the basis of assignments:
- washing of the gastrointestinal tract;
- dietary nutrition;
- infusion therapy;
- antibiotics.
Infusion therapy
In the treatment of salmonellosis in adults and children, it is carried out with the aim of eliminating dehydration and removing toxins from the body.
At the same time, intravenous drips are administered:
- saline solutions;
- protein preparations;
- blood serum.
Antibiotic therapy
The use of antibiotics is indicated mainly for the generalized form. Used:
- fluoroquinolones;
- chloramphenicol;
- doxycycline.
On our site https://dobrobut.com/ you will learn more about how to treat intestinal salmonellosis and its other forms. You can also make an appointment with our highly qualified specialists on the website.
Prophylaxis of salmonellosis in humans
Basic measures to prevent salmonellosis:
- compliance with sanitary and hygienic standards when working with livestock and poultry, slaughtering and processing carcasses (carcasses);
- heat treatment of meat, milk and eggs before consumption;
- control of livestock diseases.
Prophylaxis of salmonellosis in humans during nosocomial outbreaks consists in the use of therapeutic bacteriophage.
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