E-Coli (Escherichia coli) infection : Diarrhea

 

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is generally a bacteria which typically lives in the intestine of both healthy humans and animals. IN most of the cases, this bacteria will be harmless. This bacteria helps you to digest the food you eat. But certain types of E. coli can cause symptoms which include diarrhea, stomach pain and cramps and low-grade fever.  Some of the Infections of this bacteria can be very dangerous.

What does E. coli look like?

Escherichia coli is like a rod shaped bacterium of the Enterobacteriaceae family. This can live in any environment with or without air. These Escherichia coli bacteria usually live in the intestines of both healthy people and warm-blooded animals intestines.

How many strains of E. coli cause diarrhea?

Normally, the below six strains of Escherichia coli are known to cause diarrhea. Such as:

• Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC): This type of bacteria commonly known for food contamination E. coli. This type is also called E. coli (EHEC) and verocytotoxin-producing E. coli (VTEC).

• Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC): This type of bacteria is generally called a cause of travelers’ diarrhea.

• Enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC).

• Enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC).

• Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPIC).

• Diffusely adherent E. coli (DAEC).

Symptoms

Usually, the symptoms of intestinal infection will begin 3 to 4 days after you have acquired Escherichia coli. This time period is usually called the incubation period. If the symptoms appear, then they usually resolve within 5 to 7 days but it can last  from 1 to 10 days and more.

Mild to moderate symptoms

Symptoms will last  from a few days to more than a week which includes:

• abdominal cramping

• sudden, severe watery diarrhea which may change watery to bloody stools

• gas

• loss of appetite or nausea

• fatigue

• fever

• in rare instances, vomiting

Severe symptoms

Some few symptoms of severe E. coli infection which includes:

• bloody urine

• decreased urine output

• pale skin

• bruising

• dehydration

You should call your provider if you experience any of the above severe symptoms or if the symptoms continue for a longer period.

Causes 

Technically, you can develop Escherichia coli infection by taking certain strains of Escherichia coli bacteria. This bacteria travels down your digestive tract which helps to release the destructive toxin, called the Shiga toxin that damages the lines of your small intestine. 

Risk Factors

People who contract a disease causing strain of  E. coli will become infected. People who are at high risk of affecting by this bacteria are:

• very young (especially newborns and children).

• The elderly or older.

• People with lower immune systems (people with cancer, diabetes, HIV, and women who are pregnant).

• People who travel to certain countries.

Diagnosis

At first, your physician will ask about your symptoms, then they confirm you have an infection which can be caused by E. coli. Your provider may take a stool sample and send it to a lab for testing. The laboratory can determine the certain strains of Escherichia coli which includes E. coli 0157.

Many laboratories can test for both STEC O157 and non-O157 STEC bacterial infections.

Treatment

People with intestinal E. coli infections will treat their symptoms at home. Usually, symptoms resolve within a few days to a week. Some self care tips:

• drinking plenty of water

• getting lots of rest

• Keeping an eye out for severe symptoms which require immediate medical help

If you have bloody diarrhea or fever, you can check with your doctor before taking the OTC antidiarrheal medications. You must check with your pediatrician  before giving medications to infants or children.

If dehydration is a concern for your child, then your doctor may suggest hospitalization and intravenous (IV) fluids.

Complications

Without taking prompt treatment, E. coli infection might be progress to one of the following health conditions, such as :

• urinary tract infection

• abdominal and pelvic infection

• pneumonia

• Bacteremia - bacteria enter  through the bloodstream

• Meningitis -  bacteria cross the barrier of blood-brain 

Prevention

Some important things you can do for protect yourself and your family against Escherichia coli is you have to wash your hands particularly in below conditions:

• You must follow this before you prepare food

• You must follow this while you preparing bottles or food for infants or toddlers

• You must follow this before you touch anything, such as a pacifier, that goes into a small child’s mouth.

• You must follow this after you’ve used the bathroom or changed a diaper

• You must follow this whenever you’ve had contact with animals, even your own pets

• You must follow this after you handling raw meat

You can also prevent E. coli infections by following the hygiene of foods which carry the highest chance of contamination:

• You must cook hamburgers until they’re 160 F inside.

• You should drink only pasteurized milk, juice, and cider.

• You must wash all your ingredients before you eat it. Be careful to get dirt off leafy greens like lettuce and spinach.

In your kitchen, you should follow some couple of simple rules will help you keep safe:

Wash: You should clean knives, counters, and cutting boards with the help of hot, soapy water whenever you touch the raw meat.

Keep raw and cooked separate: You must use different cutting boards for food that you eat raw like vegetables and fruit. You must not put the cooked meat in the same plate you used for raw meat without washing the plate first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is E. coli a urine infection?

Ans: A UTI occurs when bacteria from another source, such as the nearby anus, gets into the urethra. The most common bacteria found to cause UTIs is Escherichia coli (E. coli).

Q2. Is E. coli a virus or a bacteria?

Ans: E- coli) O157. Escherichia coli O157, sometimes called VTEC, is a bacterial infection.

Q3. Is E. coli a kidney infection?

Ans: A kidney infection happens when bacteria infects your kidneys. 

Q4. What food causes E. coli?

Ans: It is transmitted to humans primarily through consumption of contaminated foods, such as raw or undercooked ground meat products, raw milk, and contaminated raw vegetables and sprouts.

Q5. How many days does E. coli last?

Ans: Symptoms usually last 5 to 10 days. People with mild symptoms usually recover on their own without treatment.