One of the most common bacteria that normally live in the intestine of healthy people and animals is called Escherichia coli (E. coli). While most E. coli types are harmless, some of them may cause diarrhea. However, there are some E. coli strains (such as O157:H7) that may cause severe stomach cramps, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea.
People usually get E. coli from contaminated food or water, especially when eating raw vegetables and undercooked beef. Although adults recover completely from E. coli O157:H7 usually within 7 days, children and older adults are at higher risk of developing kidney failure, which is a life-threatening condition.
Symptoms
Symptoms of the dangerous E. coli infection usually appear within 3-4 days after you are exposed to bacteria. Sometimes, the symptoms appear within one week. Check below some symptoms:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach cramps, pain, or tenderness
- Diarrhea that ranges between mild and watery to severe and bloody
If you experience persistent diarrhea and severe stomach cramps, immediately contact your healthcare professional.
Causes
There are several types of E. coli that may cause diarrhea and one of them is E. coli O157:H7. This bacteria strain belongs to a group that makes a powerful toxin that causes damage to the intestine lining. As a result, bloody diarrhea occurs. This dangerous strain of E. coli often happens when you ingest this bacteria strain.
However, symptoms may occur if you ingest even a small amount of this E. coli type. That’s why you may experience this infection even after eating a slightly undercooked hamburger or swallowing contaminated pool water. Check below some possible sources of exposure including contaminated water or food and person-to-person contact.
Contaminated Water
In most cases, ground and surface water is contaminated by human or animal stool. These include lakes, rivers, streams, and water used to irrigate crops. While public water systems use different methods to destroy E. coli and other bacteria, there are some E. coli outbreaks that are linked with contaminated municipal water supplies. To disinfect the water they usually use ozone, ultraviolet light, and chlorine.
Furthermore, private water wells are usually a great cause for concern because many of them do not have a proper way to disinfect the water. Mostly, the rural water supplies are contaminated but people may get E. coli after swimming in pools or lakes contaminated with stool.
Contaminated Food
One of the most common ways to become infected with E. coli is by consuming contaminated foods. These include:
- Ground beef – E. coli passes on the meat often when cattle are slaughtered and processed. Moreover, ground beef usually includes different meat types, which also increases the risk of contamination.
- Unpasteurized milk – In some cases, E. coli may pass to raw milk when the bacteria is on milking equipment or a cow’s udder.
- Fresh products – Some vegetables (including spinach and lettuce) may be contaminated when runoff from cattle farms goes on fields where fresh produce is grown.
Personal Contact
This bacteria easily travels from one person to another, especially when children or adults do not wash their hands properly.
Risk Factors
Anyone may get this bacteria but some people are more likely to develop this infection than others. Check below some risk factors:
- Age – Older adults and young children are at increased risk of E. coli infection and they may develop more serious complications.
- Weakened immune systems – Those who have a weakened immune system also are at higher risk of developing the infection. The immune system usually becomes weakened due to HIV/AIDS, cancer medications, organ transplant rejection medicines, and others.
- Some food types – These include hamburgers, unpasteurized milk, apple juice or cider, soft cheeses, and raw milk.
- Time of year – It is not clear why but approximately all E. coli infections happen from June through September in the United States.
- Reduced stomach acid levels – Stomach acid provides protection against E. coli. Thus, when the acid in the stomach is reduced you are at increased risk of developing this infection. The stomach acid levels may decrease due to certain medications such as Pantoprazole, Esomeprazole, Lansoprazole, and Omeprazole.
Complications
In most cases, adults recover from E. coli infection within 7 days but children and older adults may develop a serious form of kidney failure (called hemolytic uremic syndrome).
How to Prevent Escherichia Coli?
Nowadays, there are no vaccines or medicines that protect you from E. coli infection. The best way to prevent the infection is to avoid contaminated food and water including swallowing the water from pools or pools.
Foods to Avoid
Avoiding the following foods may help to prevent E. coli infection. For example:
- Undercooked hamburger – Generally, the hamburgers should be well-done and it is not recommended to eat them until they reach the temperature of 160 F (71 C) degrees.
- You should drink only pasteurized milk, juice, and cider because unpasteurized ones may contain E. coli bacteria.
- Wash thoroughly raw products (such as vegetables, fruits, and others).
In addition, do not share your utensils, razors, toothbrushes, and other personal items because they may also contribute to the spread of the infection.
Diagnosis
In most cases, a stool test is enough to diagnose this infection but sometimes, the bacteria may be cultured, which helps doctors confirm the condition. E. coli culture is needed to identify certain toxins produced by the O157:H7 strain of the bacteria.
Treatment
Unfortunately, there are no treatments available to cure the infection. To lessen the symptoms and prevent complications, doctors usually recommend drinking plenty of water to prevent extreme tiredness, dehydration, and rest.
Moreover, you should not use medicines to stop diarrhea because it prevents the toxins go away from the body. Antibiotics also are not an option because they may elevate your risk of serious complications and are ineffective for this infection type.
People with a severe form of E. coli infection often are hospitalized and treatment involves IV fluids, blood transfusions, and kidney dialysis. People with severe E. coli infection may develop a life-threatening form of kidney failure (hemolytic uremic syndrome).
Home Remedies
Check below some tips that may lessen the symptoms and prevent dehydration:
- Drink plenty of liquids including water, clear sodas, broths, gelatin, and juices. However, you should avoid apple and pear juices, caffeine, and alcohol.
- Do not eat the following foods because they can worsen the symptoms. These include fatty foods, high-fiber foods, dairy products, or highly seasoned foods.
- When you begin to feel better, it is recommended to return to your normal diet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What antibiotics may destroy E. coli in the urine?
Healthcare professionals usually prescribe Ampicillin, Co-trimoxazole, Ciprofloxacin, and Nitrofurantoin. However, you should not administer them without a doctor’s approval because they may worsen the symptoms.
What are the severe symptoms of E. coli infection?
- Persistent diarrhea and vomiting
- Bloody poop or pee
- High fever
- Dehydration and hemolytic uremic syndrome symptoms
If any of the previous symptoms occur, immediately contact your physician.
What are the potential complications of E. coli infection?
People with certain strains of E. coli may experience complications, especially without treatment. For example:
- Fever
- Abdominal cramps
- Pneumonia
- Kidney failure
- Extreme tiredness
- Seizures
- Dysentery
- Reduced urination
- Meningitis
- Urinary tract infections
- Confusion and others
This article does not contain all possible complications of E. coli. Discuss with your healthcare professional for more details. If you have additional questions, ask your healthcare provider.
