E. coli enteritis is inflammation of the small intestine from Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria. It is the most common cause of travelers' diarrhea.
Alternative NamesTraveler's diarrhea - E. coli; Food poisoning - E. coli; E. coli diarrhea; Hamburger disease
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsE. coli is a type of bacteria that normally lives in the intestines of humans and animals without causing any problems. However, certain types (or strains) of E. coli can cause food poisoning. One strain (E. coli O157:H7) can cause a severe case of food poisoning.
E. coli germs can get into the food you eat (called contamination) in different ways:
Food poisoning can then occur from eating or drinking:
Although not common, E. coli can be spread from one person to another. This may happen when someone does not wash their hands after a bowel movement and then touches other objects or someone else's hands.
SymptomsSymptoms occur when E. coli bacteria enter the intestine. The time between being infected and developing symptoms is usually 24 - 72 hours.
Diarrhea that is sudden, severe, and often bloody is the most common symptom.
Other symptoms may include:
Symptoms of a rare but severe E. coli infection include:
The health care provider will perform a physical exam. A stool culture can be done to check for disease-causing E. coli.
TreatmentCases usually clear up on their own within 1 - 3 days, and no treatment is required.
Antidiarrheal medication may not be recommended, because it can slow the bacteria from leaving the digestive tract.
You may need electrolyte solutions if you are dehydrated. Persons with diarrhea (especially young children) who are unable to drink fluids because of nausea may need medical care and intravenous fluids.
If you take diuretics and develop diarrhea, you may need to stop taking the diuretic during the episode. Do not stop taking any medicine without the advice of your health care provider.
Avoid dairy products. They may make the diarrhea worse due to temporary lactose intolerance.
You can buy medicines at the drugstore that can help stop or slow diarrhea. Do not use these medicines without talking to your health care provider if you have bloody diarrhea or a fever. Do not give these medicines to children.
See also: Diarrhea in children
Expectations (prognosis)The illness usually runs its course in a few days, without treatment. A small number of patients may need to be admitted to the hospital if they become very dehydrated or they develop hemolytic uremic syndrome.
ComplicationsCertain types of E. coli can cause severe anemia or even kidney failure.
Calling your health care providerCall for an appointment with your health care provider if:
Careful hand washing may be helpful. Do not drink untreated or possibly contaminated food or water. Always cook meats well, especially ground meats. Cook meats at high enough temperatures to kill bacteria.
See also: Preventing food poisoning
ReferencesSodha SV, Griffin PM, Hughes JM. Foodborne disease. In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone. 2009;chap 99.
Craig SA, Zich DK. Gastroenteritis. In: Marx JA, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier;2009:chap 92.
E. coli enteritis is inflammation of the small intestine from Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria. It is the most common cause of travelers' diarrhea.
Alternative NamesTraveler's diarrhea - E. coli; Food poisoning - E. coli; E. coli diarrhea; Hamburger disease
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsE. coli is a type of bacteria that normally lives in the intestines of humans and animals without causing any problems. However, certain types (or strains) of E. coli can cause food poisoning. One strain (E. coli O157:H7) can cause a severe case of food poisoning.
Bacteria may get into your food in different ways:
Food poisoning often occurs from eating or drinking:
Although not common, E. coli can be spread from one person to another. This may happen when someone does not wash their hands after a bowel movement and then touches other objects or someone else's hands.
SymptomsSymptoms occur when E. coli bacteria enter the intestine. The time between being infected and developing symptoms is usually 24 - 72 hours.
Diarrhea that is sudden, severe, and often bloody is the most common symptom.
Other symptoms may include:
Symptoms of a rare but severe E. coli infection include:
Your health care provider will examine you for signs of food poisoning, such as pain in the stomach and signs your body does not have as much water and fluids as it should, called dehydration.
Laboratory tests of your food of your stools may be done to determine if E.coli is causing your symptoms.
TreatmentYou will usually recover from the most common types of bacterial gastroenteritis within a couple of days. The goal of treatment is to make you feel better and avoid dehydration.
These things may help you feel better if you have diarrhea:
Give your child fluids for the first 4 to 6 hours. At first, try 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of fluid every 30 to 60 minutes.
Try an over-the-counter drink, such as Pedialyte or Infalyte. Do not water down these drinks. Pedialyte is also available as a popsicle.
Watered-down fruit juice, or broth, may also help.
See also: Diarrhea in children
If you have diarrhea and are unable to drink fluids because of nausea or vomiting, you may need to go to the hospital to receive fluids through a vein (IV). This is especially true for young children.
If you take diuretics, talk to your health care provider. You may need to stop taking the diuretic while you are sick. Never stop or change medications without talking to your health care provider and getting specific instructions.
Antibiotics are usually not prescribed for most common types of bacterial gastroenteritis, unless the diarrhea is extremely severe.
Do not use over-the-counter medicines to treat diarrhea without talking to your doctor first. They should not be given to children.
Expectations (prognosis)You usually get better in a few days, with proper fluids. Some patients may need to stay in the hospital if they become very dehydrated.
ComplicationsCertain types of E. coli can cause severe anemia or even kidney failure.
Calling your health care providerCall for an appointment with your health care provider if you have:
Also call your doctor if:
Careful hand washing may be helpful. Do not drink untreated or possibly contaminated food or water. Always cook meats well, especially ground meats. Cook meats at high enough temperatures to kill bacteria.
See also: Preventing food poisoning
ReferencesSchiller LR, Sellin JH. Diarrhea. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2010:chap 15.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 01/05/2011
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
E. coli is not a disease at all, it is a species of bacteria. E. coli can be found as part of the normal microflora in the human gastrointestinal tract, as most strains are harmless. There are some strains (eg: E. coli 01H57) that are pathogenic and can cause enteritis.
Escherichia coli
No. E-Coli is a bacterium.
e coli
Not. E Coli is a bacterium.
The full scientific name for E. coli is Escherichia coli.
E .coli like a camel .
in nature, where does e coli grow
yes there is a cure for E. Coli
E. coli is coccobacillus
E coli is the most common cause of UTI.
Yes, E. coli is extremely contagious.