The risk is highest in infants and young children. Illness is usually worse in very young and very old people. The bacteria can be found in foods such as raw chicken, turkey, beef, pork, other meat, eggs, and unpasteurized milk products. Infected people may carry the bacteria in their feces for several weeks or more, even after they feel better.
Symptoms can be mild or severe.
Sometimes the blood or other body sites become infected. Some people can have salmonellosis but have no symptoms at all. Drinking liquids to prevent dehydration is the usual treatment. Antibiotics and other drugs are not usually recommended. If foodhandlers, health care and day care workers, children in day care, or anyone in the family of such people have salmonellosis, they should contact their local health department to get specific recommendations.