6 months pregnant, and I feel like I might have salmonella poisoning

[CherryBombMama]

Obviously I am not looking for medical advice, but does this sound right? - We have 2 water turtles (which I am getting rid of!) and I cleaned their tank without realizing I had a nice sized cut on my hand. I grated myself by accident while grating cheese, so its a good size cut. It got all itchy and red but then within a week seemed to scab up fine. This was last week. Then on Monday, I was throwing up, had chills, fever, felt weak and had a little bit of diarrhea. That lasted all day Monday. Tuesday I was fine, didn't eat much, Wednesday I ate a good amount and Wednesday night I had the same symptoms, minus throwing up, but went to sleep and woke up just feeling weak. Today is Thursday, and my stomach turns every time I eat. I feel a little dizzy and lightheaded.  When I lay down, I feel so nauseous. Now, I read the symptoms of salmonella, and they seem to match. Could I really have gotten it? I'm just dreading taking my boys to the doctors. Does anyone know how they test for that? Do I go to the urgent care and say, "I think I have salmonella."  I feel like a paranoid pregnant woman. 

I guess I will x post this in the health forum ...

[forestmushroom]

I wish I knew!  I hope it turns out okay! 

[BroodyWoodsgal]

Yeah, dudette, I am not in any way an alarmist when it comes to stuff like this....I would be on the phone with my MW or OB YESTERDAY...just call them up and tell them you think you have salmonella. At the very least, you have a reason to touch base....fever, chills and vomiting for a period of a few days while pregnant....meh, I wouldn't be freaking...but me "no likey".

Be seen, tell your MW or OB of your suspicion so you can have an easier time being sent through the right channels to get this checked out. No need to run around urgent care, etc, if they can send you to the right place first.

[Jessimaca]

Cherry~  Hope you figured this out!  A test for Salmonella is just a stool sample, so no biggie.  You could have very well gotten it from the turtles-- they are common carriers.  Not from your cut though.  More likely you got a drop of the water in your eye or mouth, etc.  Always make sure everyone washes their hands really well after caring for them.  I work in public health so we deal with Salmonella a lot.

[NicoleT]

Best to check with your healthcare provider.  Tell him/her all the symptoms and take it from there.  Knowing what's going on helps to decrease or completely eliminate the paranoia.

Be well,

Nicole