An infection caused by a gram-negative bacillus, a germ of the Salmonella genus. Infection with this bacteria may involve only the intestinal tract or may be spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and then to other sites in the body. Symptoms of salmonella enteritis include diarrhea, nausea, fever, abdominal pain, and fever. Dehydration resulting from the diarrhea can cause death, and the disease could cause meningitis or septicemia. The incubation period is between 8 and 48 hours, while the acute part of the illness can hang on for 1 to 2 weeks.