About this topic
E. coli is one more name for Escherichia coli. Sometimes, doctors will put numbers after the words E. coli to help point out which kind it is. This germ makes toxins in your small bowel. The toxins cause very bad loose stools. The toxins may also break the lining of the bowel and cause bleeding in the bowels. ‚
You get this germ most often by eating or drinking contaminated food or water. It is also easy to pass this germ from person to person. People may become infected through: ‚
- Eating raw or undercooked foods, such as cookie dough, fresh picked produce that has not been washed, unprocessed or undercooked meat such as sausage, or food from a street vendor
- Drinking fresh or raw milk that has not been treated
- Germs spread from other people. This is often due to poor hand washing after going to the bathroom.
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What are the causes?
This germ can live in the bowels of healthy animals and not cause any problems. The germ can spread to the meat when the animal is cut up for food. A water source or garden may become infected if animal waste is nearby. ‚
What can make this more likely to happen?
You are more likely to have this kind of infection if you are a young child or an older adult. Having a weak immune system raises your chances. So does working on a farm or in a daycare or nursing home. Any exposure to stool can make this more likely to happen. ‚
What are the main signs?
Signs most often start within 2 to 5 days after being in contact with the germ. You may have: ‚
- Very bad belly cramps
- Loose stools
- Bloody stools
- Upset stomach
- Fever
How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?
Your doctor will do an exam and ask about your history. The doctor will feel your belly for any enlarged organs. You may need to have lab tests to see if you have this kind of infection. The doctor may also want to check your stool for the germ. Be sure to tell your doctor right away if you are having bloody stools. It is easiest to find the germ in your stool within the first 2 days after any bloody diarrhea appears. ‚
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
Doctors will not give you drugs to treat this infection. You may have drugs to treat the signs. It is most important to drink lots of fluids to prevent too much fluid loss. If you become too dehydrated, the doctor may recommend I.V. fluid replacement. ‚
Are there other health problems to treat?
Watch out for signs of bad side effects: ‚
- Hemolytic uremic syndrome ¢ ˆ ’ Low urine output, bruising, bloody stools, confusion, very bad belly pain, fever
- Too much fluid loss ¢ ˆ ’ Dry mouth, eyes, and skin; fast heartbeat; less urine than normal; and droopy sunken eyes
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Ease belly pain
- Stop throwing up
Do not take drugs to stop the loose stools. This will only prevent your body from getting rid of the toxins. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Very bad fluid loss
- Hemolytic uremic syndrome
- Low red blood cell count
- Low platelet count
- Weakened or damaged kidneys
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Wash your hands with soap and water before eating and after using the toilet or changing diapers.
- Drink water and ice from a clean source. If you are not sure if your water is clean, boil it for 30 minutes and then let it cool. If the ice source is unknown, do not use it.
- Practice these food safety tips.
- Eat well-cooked food. Do not eat raw ground beef.
- Cook your foods fully. Make sure that meat is fully cooked or brown. Use a meat thermometer to make sure the meat is at least 155 ‚ °F (68 ‚ °C).
- Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold.
- Wash, peel, or cook all fruits and vegetables. Wash salad greens thoroughly before eating them.
- Thaw meats in the refrigerator or microwave. Do not thaw them on the counter.
- Prevent cross-contamination:
- Wash your kitchen tools after they are exposed to raw meat.
- Use different containers or cutting boards for dry and wet foods.
- Do not put cooked patties or meat on the same plate that was used when it was still raw.
- Wash your hands with soap and water after touching raw meat.
- Keep others from getting this illness:
- Stay at home until your loose stools are gone and the doctor says you cannot spread the disease.
- Do not cook food for others while you have loose stools.
- Wash hands right away after petting zoo exposure.
Where can I learn more?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ‚
http://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/general/index.html ‚
FamilyDoctor.org ‚
http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/ecoli-infection.printerview.all.html ‚
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/bacterial_viral/ecoli.html# ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚