Intestinal infections caused by viruses, bacteria or parasites affect the gastrointestinal tract and cause symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Different types of infections include rotavirus, hepatitis A, salmonella, E. coli, staphylococcus, and parasitic infections. Proper food preparation and hand washing can prevent infections, but medical attention is necessary for severe symptoms. Young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems are more vulnerable.
An intestinal infection is any infection caused by a virus, bacteria or parasite that affects the gastrointestinal tract within the body. Tiny organisms called pathogens are also responsible for causing disease and infection within the stomach and intestinal tract. Common symptoms that accompany any type of intestinal infection usually include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Rotavirus is a viral infection that occurs when someone comes into contact with infected human feces. It primarily affects young children and is often found in schools, day care centers, or homes with young children. Although this viral intestinal infection usually doesn’t require treatment, fever accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain can last up to a week.
Hepatitis A is a virus that affects people who have eaten fish from contaminated water or food grown in contaminated soil. Sharing food and drink with an infected person, sharing hypodermic needles, and having sex are all ways of spreading hepatitis A infection. Hepatitis A can cause liver damage, and those who are infected usually remain under the care of a doctor.
Salmonella is a bacterium that causes an infection in the intestines. There are several strains of this bacteria that can cause mild to severe problems which include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and severe abdominal cramps. Eating undercooked meat or products from a contaminated animal causes calmonella poisoning.
Escherichia coli, usually referred to as E. coli, also comes in different strains such as Salmonella. One specific strain of E. coli that is the most dangerous comes from contaminated cattle. Eating undercooked beef and consuming dairy products or juices that have not been pasteurized puts a person in danger of contracting the E. coli bacteria.
Staphylococcus is a bacterium that causes food poisoning. Letting food sit at room temperature causes toxins to build up and produce these bacteria. Other types of bacterial infections include listeriosis, Clostridium difficile, campylobacteriosis, and shigellosis.
A parasitic infection within the intestines can involve worms large enough to be seen with the naked eye or small protozoa or amoebas, which can only be seen using a microscope. Tapeworms, roundworms, and flukes live inside the intestines and feed on the food we eat, often leaving us malnourished. Protozoa and amoebae are so small that they are able to migrate to various parts of the body via the bloodstream and are very dangerous. A person infected with a parasite needs medical attention.
An intestinal infection of any kind can usually be avoided. To avoid getting infected, it is essential to wash, prepare and cook all foods properly to kill viruses and bacteria. Washing your hands thoroughly before and after touching a contaminated food or person can kill an infection before it starts. If a person becomes infected, most infections clear up on their own with adequate rest and hydration of the body. Young children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to experiencing severe symptoms that can lead to death if left untreated.
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