Intestinal bacterial infections are caused by harmful bacteria in the intestinal tract, often from contaminated food and water. Symptoms include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Treatment may require antibiotics and supportive care, and severe cases may require hospitalization. Dehydration is a common complication.
An intestinal bacterial infection is a disease that occurs in the intestinal tract caused by the colonization of harmful bacteria. Many of these infections can resolve on their own with supportive care. Treatment may be required with aggressive or resistant infections to prevent complications. Such infections are especially common in regions with poor sanitation, where people may be exposed to contaminated food and water. Other organisms, such as viruses, can also lodge in the intestines and can cause similar symptoms, which can be a problem if the patient requires treatment.
Common culprits behind a bacterial intestinal infection include Shigella, Salmonella, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella. These bacteria can enter food and water supplies in a variety of ways. Once they reach the intestines, they can displace native bacteria that aid in digestion. Patients may experience symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. The intestinal bacterial infection may disappear after several days, unless the patient has a compromised immune system or the bacteria are unusually aggressive.
The most frequent complication of such infections is dehydration. Patients may lose water through vomiting and diarrhea and may have trouble drinking enough fluids to make up for the loss. It is important for a patient with a bacterial intestinal infection to drink plenty of fluids, including oral rehydration solutions if the patient has had symptoms for several days. There is also a risk of more serious complications such as septicemia, where bacteria enter the bloodstream and cause systemic infections.
Oral antibiotics can be used for an infection that doesn’t clear up on its own. These medications can disrupt normal intestinal bacteria, in which case the patient may experience continued diarrhea and discomfort while taking the medications. Some doctors may recommend taking probiotics or eating live cultured yogurt to rebuild the population of beneficial bacteria in your gut and offset these symptoms. It is important to complete the course of the medication, unless a severe allergic reaction develops.
In case of a severe intestinal bacterial infection, the patient may require hospitalization. This can occur if extreme dehydration develops or if the patient appears to have signs of septicemia. In the hospital, the patient may receive intravenous fluids and antibiotics. Care may involve monitoring to identify and treat complications as they develop. It may be necessary to isolate the patient if there is concern that the infection involves drug-resistant bacteria that could pose a health risk to other patients in the facility.
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