Enterococcus faecalis is a bacterium found in human and animal gastrointestinal tracts, transmitted through physical contact or animal feces. Hospitalized patients are particularly vulnerable, and proper infection control standards should be followed. Symptoms include severe abdominal cramping, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fever, and blood in the stool. A healthy diet and good hygiene practices can help prevent infection.
Enterococcus faecalis is an enterococcus bacterium frequently found in the gastrointestinal tracts of humans and animals. It can cause serious health problems when transmitted from person to person through physical contact. Typically, this bacterium is transferred to water and soil via animal feces. Preventing transmission generally involves washing hands thoroughly after cleaning up pet waste and employing proper handwashing techniques after using the restroom. Hospitalized patients are particularly vulnerable to Enterococcus faecalis due to their weakened condition and because the bacteria are known to inhabit catheters and rectal thermometers.
Sometimes, in a hospital or long-term care setting, tools may be transferred between patients. If they are not properly sanitized or if healthcare workers do not wash their hands properly, the patient can become infected. Because hospital-acquired or nosocomial-acquired infection can contribute to complications in the patient, every effort regarding appropriate infection control standards should be considered. Physicians should also be alerted if a patient is exhibiting symptoms such as severe abdominal cramping, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. In addition, fever or blood in the stool should alert the doctor to begin testing stool and blood to rule out an Enterococcus faecalis bacterial infection.
Commonly, Enterococcus faecalis is the bacterium responsible for surgical wound and urinary tract infections. This bacterium is often mistaken for streptococcal infection and is sometimes not mistakenly considered serious. Some strains of Enterococcus faecalis bacteria are resistant to antibiotic treatment, so getting them out of the body is often difficult. Typically, bacteria are particularly abundant and can also thrive in acidic and alkaline environments, both of which are hostile to most bacteria. While there are no exact ways to prevent acquiring this resistant bacterial infection, steps can be taken to reduce your risk.
Eating a healthy, high-fiber diet typically helps the gastrointestinal system function optimally and promotes regularity. Usually, when the gastrointestinal system is healthy, the naturally occurring enterococcus faecalis bacteria will have a difficult time causing systemic complications. Preventing this infection is easier than curing it. Simple hygiene practices generally keep the infection at bay, but when symptoms do arise, they should be evaluated and treated as soon as possible to prevent complications. These complications can include dehydration and secondary infections, which can lead to serious kidney damage if not properly treated.
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