Infectious colitis is caused by bacteria or parasites and can lead to symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and bloating. Pseudomembranous colitis is caused by Clostridium difficile. Diagnosis may involve medical history, X-rays, and colonoscopy. Treatment options depend on the type of infection and can include antibiotics or surgery.
Colitis is a medical condition in which the colon becomes inflamed. In some cases, the condition also involves inflammation of other parts of the large intestine. Infectious colitis is when the condition is caused by an infection. There are several types of bacteria that can cause disease, including Escherichia coli and some types of parasites. Symptoms of infectious colitis include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and bloating.
There is a type of infectious colitis called pseudomembranous colitis. This is colitis caused by an infection with a strain of bacteria called Clostridium difficile. Other types of infectious colitis can be caused by bacteria known as Shiga toxin. The severity of the disease often depends on how it was originally contracted and the type of bacteria involved. These factors will often influence potential treatment options as well.
The symptoms of infectious colitis vary widely although there are some that are often present. Symptoms can also be influenced by how the disease was initially contracted. Some of the more common symptoms include diarrhea and painful bowel movements. The person may also not feel completely in control of their bowel movements. Other potential symptoms include fatigue, bloating, loss of appetite and cramping.
Besides the common symptoms there are also some warning signs of colitis. These include needing to go to the toilet more often, blood in the stools, and weight loss. While these signs and symptoms can often be similar to other diseases, the condition is usually relatively easy to diagnose due to the large effect it can have on a person’s daily life.
Diagnosing infectious colitis can include a number of different techniques. A medical history, for example, will usually be used in conjunction with X-rays and other scans of the abdomen. Sometimes a camera inserted into the body can be used to get a close-up view of the colon to check for inflammation.
Treatment for infectious colitis depends on the type of infection. Most types of colitis infections can be treated with antibiotics, although parasitic infections may require different forms of treatment. More severe cases of colitis of any type can be life-threatening and require surgery, although not all infections make it to this stage. It is estimated that about half of all colitis sufferers of any form will need surgery at some point to reduce the severity of the condition.
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