Brief Answer: Please find detailed answer below Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for writing in to us. I have read through your query in detail. Escherichia coli (abbreviated as E. coli) are a large and diverse group of bacteria. Some kinds of E. coli cause disease by making a toxin called Shiga toxin. The bacteria that make these toxins are called “Shiga toxin-producing” E. coli, or STEC for short. You might hear these bacteria called verocytotoxic E. coli (VTEC) or enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC); these all refer generally to the same group of bacteria. These bacteria can cause severe urinary tract infections and such infections can also ascent the urinary tract and involve the kidneys by causing inflammation. You grand daughter possibly requires detailed testing of urine and blood samples for the presence of shiga producing bacteria and treatment with antibiotics which will suppress bacterial multiplication and growth. Consultation with a specialist in kidney and urinary tract diseases is suggested. Hope your query is answered. Do write back if you have any doubts. Regards, Dr.Vivek

---

Brief Answer: Please find detailed answer below Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for writing in with an update. It may not be the shiga toxin from an infection which she had 5 years back and was treated. Sore back, general malaise and UTI can be the presenting symptoms of any bacterial infection including shiga toxin producing E.coli. This may be a new outbreak of infection. Any infection needs to be confirmed using microbiological tests. You may also take note of any shiga toxin infection outbreak in your community. Your grand daughter may need to follow strict personal and food hygiene for some days. She can drink lots of fluids and take necessary medications as advised by her doctor. Hope your query is answered. Do write back if you have any doubts. Regards, Dr.Vivek

---