What is the name of the food poisoning caused by Salmonella?

The food poisoning caused by Salmonella is called salmonellosis. It is an infection caused by bacteria in the genus Salmonella and commonly affects the intestines.

Typical symptoms include diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps, and sometimes vomiting. They often begin within about 12 to 72 hours after exposure and usually last several days. Infection is commonly linked to contaminated poultry, eggs, meat, milk, water, or foods exposed to animal waste. Reptiles and other animals can also carry Salmonella and spread it to people.

Salmonellosis is a broad term that includes both nontyphoidal infections and enteric fever caused by Salmonella Typhi or Salmonella Paratyphi. In everyday food-safety contexts, however, “salmonellosis” usually refers to nontyphoidal gastroenteritis. Typhoid fever is therefore related but is not the best general answer to this question.

Most healthy people recover with rest and adequate fluids, but dehydration or invasive infection can make the illness dangerous, particularly for infants, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. Thorough cooking, handwashing, refrigeration, and preventing cross-contamination are key ways to reduce risk.