E. coli symptoms and treatment in adults

The bacterium Escherichia coli (E. coli) can affect women, men and children, E. coli can cause disease in the child younger age group, including in infants. Moreover, the younger the age of the child, especially if he is a newborn or infant, the specific symptoms of infection and more serious consequences that cause food poisoning Escherichia coli.

To survive E. coli in a humid environment in the refrigerator in a hospital setting.

What is E. coli, as you may receive infection and how dangerous they are?

Escherichia coli abbreviated E. coli – is Escherichia coli, which is part of the human intestinal flora (there are men, women, child, and, even in infants) and animals (cattle, sheep, goats).

This group includes such species Escherichia coli, as Enterobacteriaceae, Klebsiella and Enterobacter. Symptoms of E. coli treatment is quite specific, because it often does not respond take antibiotics…

E. coli is a bacterium belonging to the group enterobacteria. We are talking about bacteria, which are normally found in the intestines of healthy people, is present in young children and infants. Accordingly, they received the name of "enteron" in translation from Greek means "intestine". It is very useful for the organism bacteria but can also cause various diseases. Some of them are very serious.

Because of this, you need to get acquainted with this bacterium a little closer to know how is E. coli, where it may be present (urinary tract, throat...), what are the most common symptoms when e coli how to treat E. coli (what to treat, what drugs are best taken from the intestinal bacteria). In addition, it is important to know how to conduct diagnosis and analysis on E. coli. All of this will be discussed further.

E. coli plays an important role in maintaining the physiological processes in the intestine. However, this group includes pathogenic strains that cause diarrhoea – for example, the strain designated O-157: H7 (EHEC). For the occurrence of disease is fairly a very low infectious dose. E. Coli belongs to the bacteria that are resistant to the environment, surviving for months in the soil, in the water, which can easily be transmitted. Pathogenic strains of the friendly to low temperatures and frost.

The types of E. coli

EPEC (enteropathogenic E. coli) – strains of Escherichia coli that cause diarrhea, especially in infants.

ETEC (enterotoxigenic E. coli) – strains that produce enterotoxins and intestinal toxins. These substances alter certain ways in the cells of the intestine, causing the intestine enters large amounts of water, causing diarrhea. This bacterium is the most common cause of diarrhea in developing countries.

EIEC (enteroinvasive E. coli) – bacteria capable of invasion or penetration deeper into the intestinal wall. As a result of their exposure to disturbed the mucous membrane, which begins to bleed. The disease is manifested by bloody diarrhea, diarrhea in diabetes.

STEC (Shigella-like toxigenic E. coli) – the name says it is – a bacterium that produces a toxin similar to that produced by a Shigella dysentery bacteria (Shigella). This bacterium is not only able to penetrate into the deeper layers of the intestine, but through the blood to other organs. The disease begins painful bloody diarrhoea, which is often added hemolytic uremic syndrome. It is a condition in which bacteria attack the mucous membrane of blood vessels and various organs. Often involved the kidneys, which often leads to their failure. At the same time, the disintegration of red blood cells affects other organs.

Transmission of Escherichia coli symptoms, morbidity

Diseases result from the consumption of beef, meat sheep, goats, in meat products fast food (hamburgers, hotdogs). It is also reported illnesses after drinking raw milk, fruit juices and water. The infection is manifested by various clinical symptoms, from mild diarrhoea to bloody stool. The incubation period is 3-8days'. E. coli was isolated in the world many times with sporadic occurrences and outbreaks in schools, orphanages, nursing homes. It was first isolated in the USA in 1982.

In recent years, reported increases in infections due to E. Coli, which is resistant to many antibiotics, including Fluoroquinolones and Cephalosporins of the III generation. Previous treatment with antibiotics such as Fluoroquinolones, is associated with a higher risk of resistance of Escherichia coli.

In hospitals there is a risk that E. coli gets out of the intestine into the blood or other tissue, during surgery, or injection. It is transmitted direct contact (hands). Subsequently, the bacterium causing a variety of infections such as urinary tract infections, pneumonia, sepsis and infection at the surgery site. Because of this in hospitals was put into effect preventive treatments: reasonable use of antibiotics, antiseptic procedure before performing surgery, aseptic procedures for the prevention of urinary tract infections, hand hygiene, and screening patients with a high risk of transmitting resistant bacteria.

Major factors of risk of development of resistant Escherichia coli in society include cases of previous antibiotic treatment.

Prevention and symptoms of Escherichia coli

E. coli is destroyed when cooking, baking, pasteurization. However, this rule is applicable provided that the temperature is at least 70°C, and the process continues, at least, 2 minutes. In contrast to other E. coli bacteria are characterized by resistance to cold, acidic environment, drying and high salt concentrations. You ask what measures are effective for the prevention of infection caused by Escherichia coli? They are presented, particularly the following actions:

Raw milk should be boiled before use. Pasteurized milk is considered safe. With the consumption of raw vegetables and fruits you should choose at first glance, "healthy" fruits, clean them before consumption or at least thoroughly cleaned.

Before preparing food and after contact with raw (of course, high quality!) meat, you must wash your hands with soap and water and dry them. Meat should be stored and handled separately from other products. Kitchen towels and rags after cooking, meat should be replaced and washed at a temperature of at least 60°C.

You need to pay attention to personal hygiene, correct hand washing technique. Disinfection is desirable not only after using the toilet. The same rule applies to the purification of surfaces and items in homes with an infected person. Additional protection are disposable gloves.

E. coli — what are the consequences, the symptoms and treatment its presence in the gastrointestinal tract and other organs?

Escherichia coli can cause disease in other organs besides the intestines. In the urinary tract this bacterium can also cause inflammation. Girls and women this risk is higher than men, because they have a short way from the intestine into the urethra.

In addition, the bacteria is often the culprit of respiratory infections that cause neonatal meningitis (inflammation of the brain) etc. These conditions apply mainly to the weak and long-term bedridden people.

Treatment of intestinal infections often lies only in the completion of the liquid diet and the addition of suitable bacteria, which prevent the reproduction of Escherichia coli. It was found that antibiotics increase the secretion of the toxin from bacteria, so it is sometimes difficult to make a choice in favor of a particular treatment option. In the case of inflammation of other organs and tissues, treatment always involves the use of antibiotic drugs.

E. coli symptoms – as it appears?

Risk factor for diseases caused by Escherichia coli, is insufficient hygiene. E. coli, like other enteric bacteria, is transmitted by dirty hands, particularly after using the toilet. So if a person does not comply with the required hygiene practices, it constitutes a threatening factor in itself (because of the risk of transferring bacteria from the intestine to other organs and the development of local infections).

E. coli symptoms – what to do?

If you think that you or someone in your environment may be at risk of the disease, present diarrhea, or signs of inflammation of the urinary tract (for example, burning during urination), it is advisable to consult a doctor. The problem is not necessarily in E. coli, but even ordinary diarrhoea can be dangerous in particular, because of the large loss of fluids and ions. Water loss in children and the elderly can lead to death. Inflammation of the urinary tract can spread to the kidneys, which is also a serious disease.