Escherichia coli bacteria (E. coli) are bacteria that live in in the intestinesman for maintain a healthy digestive system. These bacteria are generally harmless. However, there istype E. coli certain which produce poison andcausing diarrhea critical.
A person can be exposed to harmful E. coli bacteria by consuming contaminated food and drink. Exposure to E. Coli can cause symptoms in the form of abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Diseases caused by E. coli bacteria will have a more severe impact if they occur in children and the elderly.
Reason Infection Escherichia coli bacteria
The presence of E. coli bacteria in the human body is a natural thing, because these bacteria play a role in maintaining the health of the digestive tract. However, there are several types of E. coli bacteria that are actually harmful to human health, namely:
- Shiga toxin-producing coli or STEC/VTEC/EHEC
- Enterotoxigenic coli (ETEC).
- Enteropathogenic coli (EPEC).
- Enteroaggregative coli (EAEC).
- Enteroinvasive coli (EIEC).
- Diffusely adherent coli (DAEC).
Most diarrhea is caused by STEC bacteria. These bacteria produce toxins that can damage the lining of the small intestine, causing bloody stools. In general, the harmful E. coli bacteria can enter the human body through:
- Food and drinks contaminated
Dangerous E. coli bacteria are very easily transmitted because a person consumes contaminated food and drink.
- Direct contact with E. coli bacteria
Forgetting to wash your hands after handling animals or after defecating, then making contact with other people, can transmit these bacteria.
Risk factors for Escherichia Coli
Anyone can get an E. coli infection. However, there are several factors that can increase a person's risk of developing a disease caused by E. coli bacteria, including:
- Age
Children, pregnant women, and the elderly are more susceptible to suffering from diseases caused by coli to suffer from more serious complications.
- Immune system which weak
Weak immune systems, such as in AIDS patients and patients undergoing chemotherapy, are more susceptible to E. coli infection.
- Decreased acid in the stomach
Gastric acid-lowering drugs or heartburn medications, such as esomeprazole, pantoprazole, lansoprazole, and omeprazole, have the potential to increase the risk of E. coli infection.
SymptomInfection Escherichia coli
Symptoms of E. coli infection are different for each person. However, this infection is often characterized by diarrhea. Generally, these symptoms are felt since 3-4 days after exposure to the bacteria. In addition to diarrhea, symptoms of E. Coli infection can include:
- Severe stomach pain to cramps
- Nausea and vomiting
- Bloated
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
- Shivering
- Dizzy
- Muscle ache
When to go to the doctor
Some E. coli infections can be treated at home and go away on their own within a few days. However, people with this infection are advised to see a doctor immediately if they experience the following symptoms:
- Diarrhea that does not improve after four days in adults or for two days in children.
- Vomiting for more than 12 hours.
- Symptoms of dehydration, such as decreased urine output, feeling very thirsty, or lightheaded.
- Stool mixed with pus or blood (dysentery).
Diagnosis of Escherichia Coli
E. coli infection is usually diagnosed by asking for symptoms and physically examining the patient. Then, the patient's stool sample will be examined in the laboratory. Through this examination, the doctor can find out whether the stool contains E. coli or not.
Escherichia Coli Pengobatan Treatment
E. coli usually clears up on its own within a few days. However, if the patient has severe diarrhea, the doctor can give antibiotics.
However, antibiotics should not be given to people suspected of being infected with STEC-type E. coli bacteria, because antibiotics can increase the production of toxins Shiga, thereby exacerbating the symptoms experienced.
During recovery, it is important to rest and get adequate fluid intake. In addition, consume foods that have soup to replace lost body fluids due to vomiting and diarrhea.
Once you feel better, try eating low-fiber foods, such as crackers, bread, or eggs. Dairy products and fatty foods should be avoided as they can make symptoms worse.
If symptoms do not improve after taking antibiotics for 3 days, the patient is advised to consult a doctor again. This could indicate that the infection is caused by bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics, such as ESBL-producing bacteria. Therefore, further examination needs to be done.
Complications Effects of Escherichia Coli
A small proportion of patients with STEC type E. coli can develop complications of Hemolytic Uremic syndrome (HUS). This condition is caused by toxins from the E.coli bacteria.
The poison is then flowed into the blood vessels and sent to the white blood cells to the kidneys. As a result, patients can experience acute kidney failure, pancreatitis, seizures, and coma.
This complication is more common in children aged 1-10 years and the elderly, than in adults.
Prevention of E. coli infection
You need to adopt a clean lifestyle to prevent dangerous Escherichia coli infections. Here are a few things you can do on a daily basis:
- Wash your hands immediately after using the bathroom and after changing your child's diaper.
- Wash hands before and after preparing food.
- Wash your hands after touching animals or working in an environment with lots of animals, such as a zoo or farm.
- Make sure the items that will touch the mouth of babies and toddlers, such as pacifiers and tools for baby bites (teether), is clean.
- If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, to reduce germs on your hands.
In addition to the above precautions, you must cook the meat thoroughly and wash all the cooking utensils used and regularly maintain the cleanliness of the kitchen, to prevent exposure to harmful E. coli bacteria from food.