There are many different bacteria in the intestines. Some are considered beneficial, while others are considered harmful. E. coli belongs to the second group. When its norm in the body is exceeded, then he alth problems appear. The causes and treatment of a person are described in the article.
What is this?
Escherichia coli is a bacterium that belongs to the genus Escherichia in the Enterobacteriaceae family. These microorganisms are highly resistant; they can live for many months in water, soil, and feces. A group of diseases that are associated with Escherichia coli and are caused by pathogenic strains of bacteria are called escherichiosis. Because of them, there are problems in digestion and the genitourinary system. Bacteria can multiply rapidly in foods, especially milk, so eating contaminated and contaminated foods with a chopstick leads to the development of an infectious and inflammatory disease.
Classes
E. coli are divided into opportunistic and pathogenic. Scientists have identified over a hundred pathogenic strains of bacteria, which are divided into classes. They can be:
- enteroinvasive;
- enterotoxigenic;
- enteropathogenic;
- enterohemorrhagic.
These microorganisms lead to the development of escherichiosis - infectious diseases that are usually observed in children and women. There is E. coli in the urine, stomach. If there is no timely treatment, complications are likely.
Why does it enter the body?
The wand is able to exist and multiply at a temperature of 37 degrees. It feeds in the intestines with mineral components and breakdown products of amino acids. Remaining viable, the stick penetrates into water bodies, soil and products.
The genus Escherichia belongs to the Enterobacteriaceae family. Many types of microorganisms are beneficial to us. Some strains are pathogenic - provoke food poisoning, genitourinary infections. During complex immunodeficiency states, when the bacillus is spread throughout the body, meningitis and sepsis may appear. If E. coli appeared, the reasons for this are simple. The main factor of infection is considered poor hygiene.
There are 2 ways of transmission:
- Water. The infection can enter the body due to the use of unboiled or poor-quality water.
- Alimentary. The infection is transmitted through contaminated food, resulting in food poisoning.
Orally Escherichia enters the intestinal tract for the following reasons:
- dirty hands;
- dirt on fruits and vegetables;
- insufficient heat treatment of meat;
- raw water contamination;
- drinking raw milk.
Contact-household method is rare. It is usually observed during an outbreak of escherichiosis in a separate room. A dangerous way of contracting a stick is considered to be the transmission of infection during childbirth from mother to child.
How does it manifest?
What are the symptoms of E. coli? They manifest themselves in different ways, so all classes must be considered separately. The condition of an infected person depends on the group of E. coli and its rate of reproduction. But in general, pain manifests itself in the form:
- disorders of the digestive process;
- vomiting and nausea;
- manifestations of flatulence;
- weaknesses;
- drowsy;
- loss of appetite;
- temperature increase;
- pressure drops.
This is how the presence of E. coli in adults and children is manifested. There may be several or only one symptom.
Symptoms by type of bacteria
Escherichiosis, which appeared from enteroinvasive sticks, leads to damage to the large intestine. The disease manifests itself with the following symptoms:
- weakness;
- headache;
- chill;
- high temperature.
After a few hours, there is a cramping pain in the lower abdomen. There is diarrhea, watery and copious stools. When the colon is damaged, colitis occurs. This type of disease has a benign treatment. Temperature and stool normalize after 1-3 days.
Infection caused by enteropathogenic bacilli in adults and children from 3 years of age proceeds in the same way as salmonellosis. The onset of the disease is characterized by:
- nauseous;
- vomit;
- abdominal pain;
- increased body temperature.
The stool will be loose, watery, copious. A person visits the toilet 2-6 times a day. The infection develops for 3-6 days, and then recovery occurs.
Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli are considered dangerous due to the fact that they can attach to the intestinal mucosa, which leads to disruption of its work. The infection can be transmitted through dirty hands or fruits. Appears with her:
- watery diarrhea;
- nausea;
- paroxysmal abdominal pain.
Symptoms of enterohemorrhagic infection include:
- necrosis;
- presence of blood clots in feces;
- peritonitis;
- diarrhea.
E. coli in a child has a more severe course, especially with the defeat of newborns or children with low body weight. Therefore, it is important to take timely measures to eliminate this disease.
Complications
Probable appearance with some types of sticks:
- poisoning;
- colibacillosis;
- intestinal dysbacteriosis;
- colpitis;
- prostatitis;
- inflammation of the genitourinary system, cystitis;
- meningitis in newborns.
Sometimes inflammation is likely to cause:
- peritonitis;
- pneumonia;
- sepsis;
- mastitis.
E. coli in a woman's vagina is dangerous because it can lead to inflammation of the genitals. First, vulvovaginitis or colpitis occurs. If you do not get rid of the pathogen in a timely manner, then the infection passes to the fallopian tubes and to the uterus. Appears endometritis. When bacteria move through the body, they enter the abdominal cavity, peritonitis develops. The disease from E. coli in the urine or stomach can manifest itself in different ways and can lead to many complications. And timely treatment will eliminate the disease.
Due to poor personal hygiene and sexual intercourse, E. coli can enter the vagina. In the future, this leads to inflammation of the urinary organs - cystitis, pyelonephritis. But E. coli in a smear does not always indicate the presence of the disease. The presence of bacteria in small numbers may mean that the necessary hygiene measures were not taken before the test. But if at least 102-104 Escherichia coli were detected in the analysis of urine with signs of illness, then inflammation in the kidneys or bladder is likely.
Diagnosis
This event is carried out through bacteriological research. Often, with the presence of coli in research material, which is considered the main part of the intestinal microflora, it is not easy to isolate a pure culture of the bacterium. If there is inflammation in the body, urgent treatment is required.
Analysisconducted by:
- feces and vomit;
- blood;
- urine;
- pus;
- swabs and scrapes.
How to treat?
Treatment of Escherichia coli should be comprehensive. It consists of the following items:
- Antibiotics. Such therapy is the basis of the treatment of Escherichia coli. Drugs are prescribed after establishing the sensitivity of microorganisms to them. Antibiotics of the cephalosporin group are usually required: Cefelim, Cefalexin, Levofloxacin. Funds must be taken in courses of 5-10 days.
- Bacteriophages. These drugs kill bacteria gently and safely compared to antibiotics, but they are not always effective. From bacteriophages stand out "Sextaphage", "Intesti-bacteriophage".
- Painkillers. With severe pain in the abdomen, painkillers are prescribed, for example, No-shpa, Taken, Spazmalin, Nurofen. But they should not be taken for a long time.
- Probiotics. The most popular include Linex, Bifidumbacterin. The drugs restore the normal balance of pathogenic and beneficial microorganisms in the intestines.
What is required for escherichiosis?
Treatment of escherichiosis is performed in a hospital:
- Mild infections do not require antibiotics.
- If the form of infection is moderate, then antibiotics of the fluoroquinolone group, such as Norfloxacin, are needed.
- Severe forms are eliminated by cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones with aminoglycosides.
Beforetake any medications, you should consult a specialist. You also need to read the instructions, which indicate the rules of treatment. Compliance with the recommendations will allow you to restore your well-being in a short time.
Principles of treatment
In addition to taking antibiotics, the patient must follow other rules of treatment. With diarrhea or vomiting, rehydration solutions are required. With them, lost fluid and s alt are replenished. After each bowel movement and vomiting, you should drink 300-600 ml of rehydration solution. To prepare it, pharmaceutical powder Trisol, Regidron or Glucosolan is used.
To ensure quality treatment of diseases caused by E. coli, it is advisable to take enterosorbents:
- Polysorb.
- Enterosgel.
- Polifepan.
- "Smekta".
- Filtrum
It is important to stick to the diet menu. It will be possible to eliminate E. coli in compliance with a special diet. The diet should include cereals boiled in water, slimy soups, boiled vegetables, lean meat and fish that are steamed. Do not eat smoked meats, fatty, fried foods, canned food, milk, fresh fruits, spices.
In babies
Escherichia coli often appears in infants. The main route of transmission is fecal-oral. The hemolytic stick penetrates with mother's milk or during childbirth. E. coli multiplies for various reasons, but usually this is due toa decrease in the immune defense of the child. Children's hands can be carriers, as they often put them in their mouths.
You need to see a doctor at the first signs of bowel problems. Self-medication can be harmful. Only a specialist can determine the infection and choose treatment. Babies can be treated at home or in a hospital. Special means are often prescribed, for example, "Smekta". This is a soft sorbent that eliminates the infection. Toxic components are quickly and naturally eliminated from the child's body.
Babies should not be given antibiotics. Many drugs can get rid of diarrhea, but cannot eliminate the infection. And "Smekta" creates a protective shell that can protect against bacteria and microbes. The powder is dissolved in water. It should be given in a bottle, dissolving 1 sachet. Treatment lasts 3 days. During this period, the symptoms usually disappear. But if this does not help, then another treatment is needed.
If the child is prescribed other medications, then "Smecta" should be given only after 2 hours. If the doctor recommends inpatient treatment, then it is better to choose it, since infection in an infant is a dangerous phenomenon. Due to diarrhea and vomiting, the child's body weakens.
The baby will be constantly supervised in the hospital. They collect tests to identify the pathogen. Since the results are not immediately available, and urgent help is needed, the child may be placed under a glucose drip. This is required to restore the liquid level and lower the temperature. Even in hospitals, infants are providedantiemetics and antipyretics. After a day, tests will be ready to determine further treatment.
Prevention
Destruction of E. coli occurs during cooking, baking, pasteurization. This rule is valid provided that the temperature is at least 70 degrees, and the duration is from 2 minutes. Compared to other bacteria, E. coli is more resistant to cold, acidic environments, drying and high s alt concentrations.
Prophylaxis to protect against diseases caused by E. coli is as follows:
- It is important to maintain personal hygiene. To do this, you must thoroughly wash your hands and face after the street and crowded places. It is important to pay attention to intimate hygiene.
- It is necessary to wash raw foods and bring milk and meat to the required state.
- Drink only high-quality water.
- Disposable clothing should be used in the hospital.
- Pet hygiene and he alth needs to be monitored.
- You should regularly clean your living space with high-quality, but not aggressive products.
- It is important to be careful when eating in catering establishments and during holidays.
Result
Thus, E. coli is a dangerous problem, both in adults and in children. It is important to identify the cause and start treatment in a timely manner. This will prevent complications.
