Escherichia coli enteritis (patient information): Difference between revisions
YazanDaaboul (talk | contribs) |
No edit summary |
||
| (One intermediate revision by one other user not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Escherichia coli enteritis (patient information)}} | {{Escherichia coli enteritis (patient information)}} | ||
__NOTOC__ | __NOTOC__ | ||
'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Escherichia coli enteritis|here]]'''.<br> | '''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Escherichia coli enteritis|here]]'''.<br> | ||
{{CMG}} {{AE}} {{YD}}; {{SSK}} | {{CMG}} {{AE}} {{YD}}; {{SSK}} | ||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
''Escherichia coli'' (''E. coli'') are bacteria that cause an illness in humans called [[gastroenteritis]]. Gastroenteritis is an [[inflammation]] of the [[stomach]] and [[intestine]]s. Sometimes misnamed "stomach flu," gastroenteritis is not related to flu (influenza), a respiratory illness caused by [[influenza virus]]. | [[Escherichia coli|''Escherichia coli'' (''E. coli'')]] are [[bacteria]] that cause an [[illness]] in [[Human|humans]] called [[gastroenteritis]]. [[Gastroenteritis]] is an [[inflammation]] of the [[stomach]] and [[intestine]]s. Sometimes misnamed "[[stomach]] [[flu]]," [[gastroenteritis]] is not related to [[Flu|flu (influenza)]], a [[Respiratory system|respiratory]] [[illness]] caused by [[influenza virus]]. | ||
''E. coli'' enteritis is [[contagious]]. ''E. coli'' is usually found in [[contamination|contaminated]] food (e.g. meats and vegetables) or drinks (e.g. contaminated water, unpasteurized milk and juice), but they also can live on surfaces or be spread through contact with an infected person. Each year in the United States, more than 600 million ''E. coli'' infections result in an estimated 700,000 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. | [[Escherichia coli enteritis|''E. coli'' enteritis]] is [[contagious]]. ''[[Escherichia coli|E. coli]]'' is usually found in [[contamination|contaminated]] food (e.g. meats and [[Vegetable|vegetables]]) or drinks (e.g. contaminated [[water]], [[Raw milk|unpasteurized milk]] and [[juice]]), but they also can live on surfaces or be spread through contact with an [[Infection|infected]] person. Each year in the United States, more than 600 million ''[[Escherichia coli|E. coli]]'' [[Infection|infections]] result in an estimated 700,000 deaths, according to the [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)]]. | ||
==What are the symptoms of Escherichia coli enteritis?== | ==What are the symptoms of Escherichia coli enteritis?== | ||
Because there are so many types of ''E. coli'', you can become infected and show [[symptom]]s many times. Symptoms usually develop within a few days (1-10 days) after you are infected with ''E. coli''. It usually takes a 5-7 days before you are better. Symptoms of [[gastroenteritis]] caused by ''E. coli'' can include: | Because there are so many types of ''[[Escherichia coli|E. coli]]'', you can become [[Infection|infected]] and show [[symptom]]s many times. [[Symptom|Symptoms]] usually develop within a few days (1-10 days) after you are [[Infection|infected]] with ''[[Escherichia coli|E. coli]]''. It usually takes a 5-7 days before you are better. [[Symptom|Symptoms]] of [[gastroenteritis]] caused by ''[[Escherichia coli|E. coli]]'' can include: | ||
*[[Nausea]] | *[[Nausea]] | ||
*[[Abdominal cramps]] | *[[Abdominal cramps]] | ||
*[[Vomiting]] | *[[Vomiting]] | ||
*[[Diarrhea]], which may be watery or bloody | *[[Diarrhea]], which may be [[Diarrhea|watery]] or [[Dysentery|bloody]] | ||
*[[Fatigue]] | *[[Fatigue]] | ||
*[[Fever]] | *[[Fever]] | ||
| Line 20: | Line 21: | ||
==What causes Escherichia coli enteritis?== | ==What causes Escherichia coli enteritis?== | ||
The main bacteria that cause [[gastroenteritis]] used to be called ''Escherichia coli'' (''E. coli''). Although there are strains of ''E. coli'' that normally inhabit the human gastrointestinal tract in all humans, the strains that cause enteritis are different from the strains that normally inhabit the gastrointestinal tract. | The main [[bacteria]] that cause [[gastroenteritis]] used to be called [[Escherichia coli|''Escherichia coli'' (''E. coli'')]]. Although there are [[Strain (biology)|strains]] of ''[[Escherichia coli|E. coli]]'' that normally inhabit the [[human]] [[gastrointestinal tract]] in all humans, the [[Strain (biology)|strains]] that cause enteritis are different from the [[Strain (biology)|strains]] that normally inhabit the [[gastrointestinal tract]]. | ||
==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
Your [[health care provider]] can use laboratory tests to diagnose ''E.coli'' enteritis, but these tests are not used routinely. Usually, your healthcare provider will diagnose it by examining you and noting your symptoms. | Your [[health care provider]] can use [[Medical laboratory|laboratory]] [[Test|tests]] to [[Diagnosis|diagnose]] [[Escherichia coli enteritis|''E.coli'' enteritis]], but these [[Test|tests]] are not used routinely. Usually, your healthcare provider will [[Diagnosis|diagnose]] it by examining you and noting your [[Symptom|symptoms]]. | ||
==Treatment options== | ==Treatment options== | ||
The best treatments for ''E. coli'' enteritis are to get plenty of bed rest and drink lots of fluids. To prevent [[dehydration]] (severe loss of body fluids), your healthcare provider may give you specific instructions about the type of fluids you should drink. Mineral water alone may not be enough for adequate rehydration. You may be advised by your physician to mix oral rehydration solution (ORS) with water or to prepare a home-made oral rehydration solution. If you cannot tolerate any fluid intake by mouth, consult with your physician if you need to visit the nearest hospital. You should not routinely take [[antibiotics]] for ''E. coli'' enteritis because they may occasionally worsen your symptoms and may lead to potentially-life threatening complications. If your infant or child has [[diarrhea]], you should contact a healthcare provider immediately for treatment advice. | The best treatments for [[Escherichia coli enteritis|''E. coli'' enteritis]] are to get plenty of [[bed rest]] and drink lots of [[Fluid|fluids]]. To prevent [[dehydration]] (severe loss of [[Human body|body]] [[Fluid|fluids]]), your [[Health care|healthcare]] provider may give you specific instructions about the type of [[Fluid|fluids]] you should drink. Mineral [[water]] alone may not be enough for adequate [[rehydration]]. You may be advised by your [[physician]] to mix [[Mouth|oral]] [[rehydration]] [[solution]] (ORS) with [[water]] or to prepare a home-made [[Mouth|oral]] [[rehydration]] [[solution]]. If you cannot tolerate any [[fluid]] intake by [[mouth]], consult with your [[physician]] if you need to visit the nearest [[hospital]]. You should not routinely take [[antibiotics]] for [[Escherichia coli enteritis|''E. coli'' enteritis]] because they may occasionally worsen your [[Symptom|symptoms]] and may lead to potentially-life threatening [[Complication (medicine)|complications]]. If your [[infant]] or [[child]] has [[diarrhea]], you should contact a [[Health care|healthcare]] provider immediately for treatment advice. | ||
==Where to find medical care for Escherichia coli enteritis?== | ==Where to find medical care for Escherichia coli enteritis?== | ||
| Line 32: | Line 33: | ||
==Prevention== | ==Prevention== | ||
To prevent ''E. coli'' enteritis you should: | To prevent [[Escherichia coli enteritis|''E. coli'' enteritis]] you should: | ||
*Wash your hands with soap and water frequently. This is especially important for food handlers and caregivers. | *Wash your [[Hand|hands]] with [[soap]] and [[water]] frequently. This is especially important for [[food]] handlers and caregivers. | ||
*Prepare fresh and frozen foods safely, including thoroughly washing fresh produce. | *Prepare fresh and frozen [[Food|foods]] safely, including thoroughly washing fresh produce. | ||
*Disinfect [[contamination|contaminated]] surfaces in your kitchen and bathrooms with household chlorine bleach-based cleaners to kill viruses resting on surfaces. | *Disinfect [[contamination|contaminated]] surfaces in your kitchen and bathrooms with household chlorine bleach-based cleaners to kill [[Virus|viruses]] resting on surfaces. | ||
*Wash contaminated clothing, diapers, sheets, and towels promptly in hot water (above 160ºF / 70ºC) and/or with bleach. | *Wash contaminated clothing, [[Diaper|diapers]], sheets, and towels promptly in hot [[water]] (above 160ºF / 70ºC) and/or with [[bleach]]. | ||
*Choose wisely when eating or drinking outside your home. If you aren't sure whether the food or water is safe, avoid it. | *Choose wisely when eating or drinking outside your home. If you aren't sure whether the [[food]] or [[water]] is safe, avoid it. | ||
In addition, you should not prepare food for others if you have ''E. coli'' enteritis. Currently, there is no [[vaccine]] to protect you from ''E. coli'' [[infection]]s. | In addition, you should not prepare [[food]] for others if you have [[Escherichia coli enteritis|''E. coli'' enteritis]]. Currently, there is no [[vaccine]] to protect you from ''[[Escherichia coli|E. coli]]'' [[infection]]s. | ||
[[Category:Patient information]] | [[Category:Patient information]] | ||
[[Category:Disease]] | [[Category:Disease]] | ||
[[Category:Gastroenterology]] | [[Category:Gastroenterology]] | ||
Latest revision as of 00:36, 17 December 2018
|
Escherichia coli enteritis |
|
Escherichia coli enteritis On the Web |
|---|
|
Risk calculators and risk factors for Escherichia coli enteritis |
For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Yazan Daaboul, M.D.; Serge Korjian M.D.
Overview
Escherichia coli (E. coli) are bacteria that cause an illness in humans called gastroenteritis. Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines. Sometimes misnamed "stomach flu," gastroenteritis is not related to flu (influenza), a respiratory illness caused by influenza virus.
E. coli enteritis is contagious. E. coli is usually found in contaminated food (e.g. meats and vegetables) or drinks (e.g. contaminated water, unpasteurized milk and juice), but they also can live on surfaces or be spread through contact with an infected person. Each year in the United States, more than 600 million E. coli infections result in an estimated 700,000 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
What are the symptoms of Escherichia coli enteritis?
Because there are so many types of E. coli, you can become infected and show symptoms many times. Symptoms usually develop within a few days (1-10 days) after you are infected with E. coli. It usually takes a 5-7 days before you are better. Symptoms of gastroenteritis caused by E. coli can include:
- Nausea
- Abdominal cramps
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea, which may be watery or bloody
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Muscle aches
What causes Escherichia coli enteritis?
The main bacteria that cause gastroenteritis used to be called Escherichia coli (E. coli). Although there are strains of E. coli that normally inhabit the human gastrointestinal tract in all humans, the strains that cause enteritis are different from the strains that normally inhabit the gastrointestinal tract.
Diagnosis
Your health care provider can use laboratory tests to diagnose E.coli enteritis, but these tests are not used routinely. Usually, your healthcare provider will diagnose it by examining you and noting your symptoms.
Treatment options
The best treatments for E. coli enteritis are to get plenty of bed rest and drink lots of fluids. To prevent dehydration (severe loss of body fluids), your healthcare provider may give you specific instructions about the type of fluids you should drink. Mineral water alone may not be enough for adequate rehydration. You may be advised by your physician to mix oral rehydration solution (ORS) with water or to prepare a home-made oral rehydration solution. If you cannot tolerate any fluid intake by mouth, consult with your physician if you need to visit the nearest hospital. You should not routinely take antibiotics for E. coli enteritis because they may occasionally worsen your symptoms and may lead to potentially-life threatening complications. If your infant or child has diarrhea, you should contact a healthcare provider immediately for treatment advice.
Where to find medical care for Escherichia coli enteritis?
Directions to Hospitals Treating E. coli infection
Prevention
To prevent E. coli enteritis you should:
- Wash your hands with soap and water frequently. This is especially important for food handlers and caregivers.
- Prepare fresh and frozen foods safely, including thoroughly washing fresh produce.
- Disinfect contaminated surfaces in your kitchen and bathrooms with household chlorine bleach-based cleaners to kill viruses resting on surfaces.
- Wash contaminated clothing, diapers, sheets, and towels promptly in hot water (above 160ºF / 70ºC) and/or with bleach.
- Choose wisely when eating or drinking outside your home. If you aren't sure whether the food or water is safe, avoid it.
In addition, you should not prepare food for others if you have E. coli enteritis. Currently, there is no vaccine to protect you from E. coli infections.