HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

What Should I Do To Treat And Manage E.coli Infection?

default
Posted on Sat, 2 Jul 2022
Question: Hi

I had what I believe was a gastroenteritis with nausea, puking, diarrhea and bloating pain or cramps. This was back in february, but since then I have had frequent episodes of bloating, stool changes, diarrhea, soft stools, mucous and more. No blood found though and I don't think I have fevers either.

I have been tested by my doctor, blood tests showed no allergy to gluten and my globulin was normal too. My stool test showed that I have a pathogenic e-coli in my stools, the specific e-coli strain that was found positive was the EPEC or A/EEC (Intimin producing). Though I've been told by my doctor that normally there is nothing they do about this. But my stomach is still upset, I have frequent diarrhea, sometimes formed stools with small pellets (doesn't feel like constipation though) and my stomach feels generally like it's gassy and the gas has a hard time passing through the system.

He referred me further to the gastro part of the hospital but I have no idea what they'll do or how long I have to wait for that. Is there something I can do from home that will aid me overcoming this or something I should do with the healthcare to get things started? I have also read that often antibiotics don't help on strains of pathogenic e-coli?

Should I avoid certain foods or is there something I should eat to feel better?

Will tetracycline make my situation worse since it's potentially killing of other bacteria in my gut and leaving more space for the bad bacteria or is it insignificant?

What is your recommendation on this? Should I push my doctor for antibiotics or something?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (43 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Dont read google its rubbish Take proper therapy.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

1) E. coli is a type of bacteria that normally live in the intestines of people and animals. However, some types of E. coli, particularly E. coli O157:H7Enteropathogenic e coli , can cause intestinal infection. E. coli O157:H7 and other strains that cause intestinal sickness are called Shiga toxin–producing E. coli after the toxin that they produce.
Symptoms of intestinal infection include diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever. It is not necessary that all symptoms are there at a time. Unless treated with proper antibiotics things would be recurrent.

2)Stool that comes out in small pieces rather than long and smooth is sometimes called pebble or pellet stool. Fiber forms a gel in the intestines when it is fermented by bacteria in the colon and combined with water. If there is a lack of fiber holding stool together, it may be shaped like small pebbles. Take isabghul husk 30 grams a day to improve fiber intake. Gastroenteritis causes inflammation in intestines therefore every moment of intestine would cause pain or spasm. As intestines are inflamed large amount of mucous would be secreted along with improper water absorption causing stools to be watery

Rx

If you can manage get a prescription for him-
Cefiximine 200mg twice daily
Metronidazole 400mg thrice daily(would cover bacteria and protozoans also).

Keep a watch on blood pressure and pulse.
If pulse is more then 110/minute or Upper blood pressure is less then 100mm of hg shift to the nearest emergency room.
try small amounts of plain foods, such as soup, rice, pasta and bread.
Use special rehydration drinks made from sachets electral solution to maintain depleted electrolyte levels in serum.
Tetracycline has nothing that would help you with enteritis.

General precaution,

Increase lukewarm water intake
- Try to eat lot of vegetables, take a lot of Yogurt along with food.
- Eat plentiful "fresh oranges" and "pear ".
- Take a diet which is very low in Fat.
- Add lot of vegetables and fruits to your diet.
- Packaged fruit juices should not be taken.
- Frequent and small meals should be taken.
- Take small amount of food every 2 hours, Don't take large meals at one time.

- Keep your body hydrated.
- Ispaghula husk should be taken 2 tsf in a glass of water while going to bed daily.

Regards
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Ramesh Kumar

Gastroenterologist

Practicing since :1986

Answered : 2913 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
What Should I Do To Treat And Manage E.coli Infection?

Brief Answer: Dont read google its rubbish Take proper therapy. Detailed Answer: Hi, 1) E. coli is a type of bacteria that normally live in the intestines of people and animals. However, some types of E. coli, particularly E. coli O157:H7Enteropathogenic e coli , can cause intestinal infection. E. coli O157:H7 and other strains that cause intestinal sickness are called Shiga toxin–producing E. coli after the toxin that they produce. Symptoms of intestinal infection include diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever. It is not necessary that all symptoms are there at a time. Unless treated with proper antibiotics things would be recurrent. 2)Stool that comes out in small pieces rather than long and smooth is sometimes called pebble or pellet stool. Fiber forms a gel in the intestines when it is fermented by bacteria in the colon and combined with water. If there is a lack of fiber holding stool together, it may be shaped like small pebbles. Take isabghul husk 30 grams a day to improve fiber intake. Gastroenteritis causes inflammation in intestines therefore every moment of intestine would cause pain or spasm. As intestines are inflamed large amount of mucous would be secreted along with improper water absorption causing stools to be watery Rx If you can manage get a prescription for him- Cefiximine 200mg twice daily Metronidazole 400mg thrice daily(would cover bacteria and protozoans also). Keep a watch on blood pressure and pulse. If pulse is more then 110/minute or Upper blood pressure is less then 100mm of hg shift to the nearest emergency room. try small amounts of plain foods, such as soup, rice, pasta and bread. Use special rehydration drinks made from sachets electral solution to maintain depleted electrolyte levels in serum. Tetracycline has nothing that would help you with enteritis. General precaution, Increase lukewarm water intake - Try to eat lot of vegetables, take a lot of Yogurt along with food. - Eat plentiful "fresh oranges" and "pear ". - Take a diet which is very low in Fat. - Add lot of vegetables and fruits to your diet. - Packaged fruit juices should not be taken. - Frequent and small meals should be taken. - Take small amount of food every 2 hours, Don't take large meals at one time. - Keep your body hydrated. - Ispaghula husk should be taken 2 tsf in a glass of water while going to bed daily. Regards