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THE Escherichia coli, or E. coli, is a bacterium that naturally inhabits the intestines of people and some animals, without any sign of disease. However, there are some types of E. coli that are harmful to people and that enter the body due to the consumption of contaminated food, for example, causing gastroenteritis with severe diarrhea and with mucus or blood.
In addition to causing intestinal infections, the occurrence of E. coli it can also result in urinary infection, and it is important that it is identified by means of a specific microbiological examination of urine so that treatment can begin.
There are 4 types of E. coli that cause intestinal infections, E. coli enterotoxigenic, enteroinvasive, enteropathogenic and enterohemorrhagic. These types of E. coli they can be identified in a stool test requested by the doctor, especially in the case of children, pregnant women, the elderly or people with weakened immune systems such as those undergoing treatment for cancer or AIDS, for example.
Symptoms of infection by Escherichia coli
Intestinal symptoms of infection by Escherichia coli usually appear between 5 to 7 hours after contact with this bacterium. If you suspect infection with E. coli, take the following test according to your symptoms:
- 1. Constant diarrhea No Yes
- 2. Bloody stools No Yes
- 3. Abdominal pain or frequent cramps No Yes
- 4. Nausea and vomiting No Yes
- 5. General malaise and tiredness No Yes
- 6. Fever below 38º C No Yes
- 7. Loss of appetite No Yes
In addition to gastrointestinal infections, Escherichia coli it can also cause urinary tract infections, with the appearance of typical symptoms of urinary tract infection, such as pain or burning when urinating, cloudy urine or strong odor, and it is important to go to the doctor so that it is recommended to perform a urine test to identify bacterium. Know how to recognize the symptoms of infection by Escherichia coli.
E. coli in pregnancy
During pregnancy it is common for women to experience frequent episodes of urinary tract infection, most of which is caused by Escherichia coli. During pregnancy it is possible for the bacteria to reach the urethra, where it proliferates and causes symptoms such as pain, burning and urgency to urinate.
Treatment of infection by E. coli in pregnancy it is always done with antibiotics prescribed by the doctor, and it is recommended to drink plenty of water to promote the elimination of bacteria from the urinary tract as soon as possible.
How the transmission happens
The transmission of this bacterium occurs through contaminated water or food, or through contact with the feces of the contaminated person, and for this reason it is easily transmitted especially among children, at school or at daycare.
Due to the easy transmissibility of this bacterium and the proximity between the anus and the vagina, E. coli can cause various diseases, such as:
- Gastroenteritis, when it affects the intestine;
- Urinary infection, when it reaches the urethra or bladder;
- Pyelonephritis, when it affects the kidneys after a urinary infection;
- Appendicitis, when it affects the appendix of the intestine;
- Meningitis, when it reaches the nervous system.
Furthermore, when infection by Escherichia coli is not properly treated, it is possible that this bacterium reaches the bloodstream, causing septicemia, which is a serious condition usually treated in a hospital environment.
How is the treatment
Treatment for infection by Escherichia coli it is done according to the sensitivity profile of this bacterium to antibiotics, which is informed by means of the antibiogram, and to the person's general health status. When a person has symptoms, especially in the case of a urinary tract infection, the doctor may recommend the use of antibiotics, such as cephalosporins, levofloxacin and ampicillin.
In the case of intestinal infection, the use of antibiotics is usually not recommended, as this situation tends to resolve itself within a few days, with only rest and the intake of plenty of fluids being recommended. The use of medicines that trap the intestine is not recommended because they can increase the severity of the disease, since the bacteria are not eliminated through the feces.
Another good way to help regulate the intestine is to take a probiotic like PB8, Simfort, Simcaps, Kefir Real and Floratil, and they can be found in pharmacies and nutritional stores.
How to prevent infection
Prevention of contamination with E. coli consisting of:
- Wash your hands after using the bathroom;
- Always wash hands before meals;
- Wash your hands before and after preparing meals;
- Wash foods that are eaten raw, such as lettuce and tomatoes;
- Do not swallow water from the pool, river or beach.
In addition, it is also important to disinfect foods that are eaten raw, soaking them, completely immersed, in 1 tablespoon of bleach for each liter of drinking water and letting it rest for fifteen minutes before consuming.