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FA flash card says Salmonellosis should not be treated with antibiotics, can anyone explain this? Many thanks in advance.
treatment for salmonella infection
- Thread starter MudPhud20XX
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Cant really give the actual scientific answer for what happens.... But treat salmonella food poisoning with supportive care, use of antibiotics prolongs the excretion of salmonella, and remember large quantities of salmonella are needed for adverse effects... so its like your giving more time for salmonella to congregate and hang out, and thats a party you don't want...
In general with infectious gastroenteritis your goal is supportive care while the patient ****s all the bugs out. In general antibiotics prolong the infection. I don't know why. You won't be asked for a mechanism. Everyone is happy enough that you know not to give antibiotics in most cases.
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Non-typhoidal salmonellosis is usually self-limiting and Tx with ampicillin can increase excretion time of bacteria. Tx with antibiotics is indicated if the individual is age <3 months, immunocompromised or systemically unwell/septic.
In contrast Shigella should be treated with ampicillin or TMP-SMX unless very mild.
Erythromycin or ciprofloxacin can be considered in significant cases of Campylobacter infection.
Most cases of gastroenteritis are viral so unless bacterial infection is strongly suspected/confirmed, Abx shouldn't be used because they can make viral-induced diarrhea worse.
In general the incubation period of gram (-) rods is 1-3 days and bloody diarrhea is common. S. aureus preformed toxin is within 6 hours and characterized by vomiting (with much lesser chance of diarrhea).
