What is an E. coli (Escherichia coli) Infection?
Escherichia coli or E. coli is a bacteria that normally lives in the intestines of humans and animals, whose function is actually to maintain the health of the digestive system.
However, there are certain types of E. coli that can cause infections that result in symptoms of diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramps.
This dangerous type of E. coli bacteria produces Shiga toxin (STEC), a type of poison that can cause severe foodborne illness.
The toxin from the Escherichia coli bacteria can be transmitted to humans through the consumption of contaminated food. Such as raw or undercooked meat, raw milk, and contaminated raw vegetables.
Symptoms of Escherichia coli Infection
Symptoms of bacterial infection usually appear three to four days after the body is exposed to the bacteria. However, pain will appear one day to one week later.
Symptoms of E. coli bacterial infection that you need to recognize are:
- Stomach cramps.
- Diarrhea, ranging in severity from mild to severe, and even bloody.
- Loss of appetite.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Fever.
- Fatigue.
Causes of E. coli (Escherichia coli) Infection
There are many types of E. coli bacteria. Most are harmless to humans, but there are some types that can cause intestinal diseases, including:
- Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC): Usually develops in communities that do not have adequate water and food sanitation.
- Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) : This is the most common bacteria that causes disease. It is usually found in contaminated fruits, vegetables, raw or undercooked meat, and ground beef.
- Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC): Bacteria that cause watery diarrhea and can be transmitted from person to person.
- Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC): A common cause of diarrhea in travelers to areas with and without sanitation resources.
- Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli (EIEC): A type that is rarely encountered, but is closely related to Shigella.
- Diffusely adherent Escherichia coli (DAEC): This type of bacteria can cover the surface of infected body cells.
You can become infected when you swallow E. coli bacteria found in contaminated food or drink.
Here are some causes of E. coli infection:
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Contaminated food
A common cause of this bacterial infection is when you consume contaminated food, such as:
- Ground beef. When cattle are slaughtered and processed, E. coli bacteria in their intestines can get into the meat. Given that ground beef combines meat from different areas and organs, this is possible.
- Milk that has not gone through the pasteurization process. The bacteria on the milking equipment can enter the raw milk.
- Fresh produce. Runoff or runoff from dairy farms can contaminate fields where fresh produce is grown. Vegetables, such as spinach and lettuce, are particularly susceptible to E. coli contamination.
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Contaminated water
Human and animal waste can contaminate soil and surface water. This includes rivers, lakes, and the water you use to irrigate your crops.
Several Escherichia coli outbreaks have also been linked to contaminated water supplies.
However, public water systems in urban areas have used chlorine, ultraviolet light, or ozone to kill bacteria.
Additionally, some people can become infected with this bacteria after swimming in a pool or lake contaminated with feces.
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Physical contact with other people
You need to be aware that bacteria can easily move from person to person.
Especially when infected adults and children do not wash their hands properly.
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Contact with animals
People who work with animals, especially cattle, goats, and sheep, are at greater risk of infection with the bacteria Escherichia coli.
This bacterial infection can also occur when children visit zoos or touch infected animals.
People who work with these animals, or are in environments with groups of these animals, should be more diligent in washing their hands thoroughly.
Risk Factors for E. coli Infection
Among the many types of Escherichia coli bacteria, there are some that can cause diarrhea.
For example, E. coli 0157, which can produce toxins that can damage the walls of the small intestine. Infection with this type of bacteria causes diarrhea mixed with blood.
Although Escherichia coli infection can affect anyone who is exposed to the bacteria, some people are at higher risk.
The following are several factors that can increase the risk of Escherichia coli bacterial infection :
- Age. Young children and older adults are at higher risk for illness caused by E. coli bacteria and more serious complications of infection.
- Weakened immune system. People who have a weakened immune system, whether from illness or treatment, are more likely to get the disease.
- Eating certain foods. Types of foods that are at risk of containing E. coli bacteria include undercooked hamburgers, unpasteurized milk, fruit juice, and cheese made from raw milk.
- Decreased stomach acid levels. Stomach acid acts as a protector against E. coli bacteria. If you take medications that reduce stomach acid, it can increase the risk of infection.
Diagnosis of E. coli Infection
To confirm the diagnosis of Escherichia coli bacterial infection and related toxins in the body, the doctor will usually perform a stool or feces examination. The doctor will examine the stool sample in the laboratory.
Bacteria can be cultured to confirm the diagnosis and identify specific toxins. Treatment recommendations will be tailored to the condition.
1. coli Infection Treatment
Some ways to treat E. coli infections are:
- Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
- Giving oralit to children.
- Enough rest.
If the infection is serious enough to cause hemolytic uremic syndrome, then you must immediately get treatment in the hospital to get intensive care.
If you have bloody diarrhea or fever, check with your doctor before deciding to use an over-the-counter antidiarrheal medication.
Infants or children who show symptoms of infection should also seek medical attention before giving any medication.
Doctors usually do not prescribe antibiotics to treat infections.
This is because there is a risk of serious side effects and the buildup of antibiotic resistance, where antibiotics stop being effective against certain pathogens.
If severe dehydration occurs in the sufferer, the doctor may recommend hospitalization and administration of fluids intravenously (IV).
Most infected people improve within 5 to 7 days after symptoms appear, eventually making a full recovery.
Recommended Medications to Treat E. coli Infections
In addition to applying the above methods, there are also several medications that you can use to speed up the healing process of E. coli. Here are the recommendations:
- Amoxicillin Dry Syrup 250 mg/5 ml 60 ml. This medicine is used to treat infections caused by sensitive strains of bacteria such as E. coli. Amoxicillin is an antibiotic.
- Fuzide Syrup 60 ml. Fuzide is a drug containing nifuroxazide in syrup form that can treat diarrhea caused by E. coli bacteria.
- Pedialyte Original 500 ml. This medicine is used to treat dehydration that is usually experienced when E. coli bacteria infect the digestive tract causing diarrhea and then leading to dehydration. This medicine is used to treat dehydration and meet fluid needs.
- Tetracycline 500 mg 10 Capsules. Tetracycline is a generic antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections, one of which is E. coli bacterial infection.
- Ciprofloxacin 500 mg 10 Tablets. Used for E. coli infections, especially for urinary tract infections caused by this bacteria.
Complications of E. coli Infection
Most people recover from the infection within a week.
But some people, especially young children and older adults, can develop complications including life-threatening kidney failure, a condition called hemolytic uremic syndrome.
A small number of people with STEC type E. coli can experience complications in the form of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).
This condition occurs due to toxins from bacteria flowing in the blood vessels to the kidneys.
As a result, sufferers can experience acute kidney failure, pancreatitis, seizures, and coma.
These complications occur more frequently in children aged 1-10 years and the elderly than in adults.
Prevention of E. coli Infection
There is currently no vaccine or treatment for Escherichia coli or E. coli infection. However, some E. coli prevention efforts that can be done are:
- Wash your hands thoroughly before cooking, serving, or consuming food.
- Be sure to wash your hands after touching animals or working in an environment with many animals.
- Avoid cross-contamination by trying to use clean cooking utensils and eating utensils.
- Keep raw meat away from other food and clean objects.
- Avoid consuming raw milk.
- Do not prepare or cook food while you have diarrhea.
- Wash your hands frequently, especially after being in public and after leaving the toilet.
- Do not drink water from public swimming pools.
That is the explanation of the definition, causes, symptoms, and treatment of E. coli infection. If you still have further questions about E. coli infection, you can consult a doctor.
