e coli symptoms

E. coli infection is caused by Escherichia coli bacteria that resides in the intestine.

Most of these gram negative rod shaped E. coli bacteria are harmless and helps in producing Vitamin K₂ to the host and in preventing the existence of other harmful bacteria within the intestine. But some E. coli bacteria are responsible for infection and serious food poisoning.

Causes of E. coli infection

Escherichia coli infection is mostly caused due to undercooked beef because most dairy cattle carry the bacteria in their intestine. If the beef isn’t cooked at the high temperature, or if it is consumed in a contaminated state then the person has a high probability of getting infected. Even though Escherichia coli are present in the intestine, E. coli infection outbreaks when unhealthy eating habit is practiced or when food or water contaminated with that bacteria is consumed.

Signs and symptoms of E. coli

E. coli symptoms are usually mild in some cases. There is a possibility for it to also be severe. From the moment of infection, it may take a day or 3 days of time to notice the signs and symptoms of this bacterial infection.

• Bloody diarrhea: One of the prominent e coli symptoms is diarrhea with dark red blood. At times the diarrhea is non bloody at the beginning and becomes bloody after few days.

• Nausea: The infected person suffers from upper abdominal pain and an urging sensation to vomit is observed. It is a sensation of stomach trying to empty itself. They are usually short-lived, but when prolonged gets uneasy.

• Stomach cramping: Abdominal cramps occur as a reaction to the attack from E. coli bacteria. A muscle contraction at the abdomen is abdominal cramping and is often mild and painful.

• Vomiting: Recurrent vomiting is one of the Ecoli symptoms that a patient may experience. The stomach empties itself frequently resulting in a heavy loss of weight.

• Fever: A very mild fever of temperature less than 101F occurs suddenly. The fever is mild but disturbing.

• Bloating: The symptom of this category would enlarge the Gastrointestinal tract filling it with gas. The stomach gets tight and uncomfortable.

• Loss of appetite: This is a case where the person never feels hungry. He loses appetite. The E. coli viruses attack the GI and the wall at the small intestine resulting in diarrhea. The person loses more fluids and weight loss occurs.