Abdominal pain Nausea and/or vomiting Diarrhea Fever Abdominal cramps
This is counter-intuitive for many people, who often expect medical drugs as a “cure” for illnesses such as an E. coli infection. Antidiarrheal medications are not helpful because they delay the passage of the infection and a worsening of symptoms. Your best bet, counter-intuitive as it may seem, is to allow the diarrhea to continue to get rid of the infection as soon as possible. [3] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Antibiotics are also not recommended — they have been shown to worsen the illness, because when the bacteria are killed they release more toxins, resulting in greater damage. [4] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
Talk to your doctor about the supportive measures you can take to get through the infection. It will be important to stay hydrated as you will be losing lots of fluids while you are sick.
Take time off work or school. Not only is it important to stay home and rest for your own recovery, it is also important as a means to avoid contaminating others in the workplace or school. You should remain isolated socially because E. Coli infections are very contagious and you do not want to be responsible for infecting your entire office or class with this unpleasant bacteria. Be sure to wash your hands frequently, and to avoid others as much as possible for the duration of your illness (which should get better within a week or so). E. coli is transmitted through fecal matter, so wash your hands extra thoroughly after using the restroom. [7] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source
Dehydration is more serious in extremes of age. [8] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source If the individual with E. coli is an infant or a senior citizen, consider taking him to his doctor for treatment.
Alternatively, ORS can be prepared at home by dissolving 4 tablespoons of sugar and half teaspoonful each of baking soda and salt in one liter of water. For further information, read wikiHow’s How to Make an Oral Rehydration Salts Drink. The powder should be mixed in safe water to avoid further infection. Boil it if need be.
Electrolytes are substances that are found in the body and help to maintain the normal functioning of the body. You may be required to get a blood transfusion in cases of severe bloody diarrhea (which some strains of E. coli can cause). Your blood will be checked to determine hemoglobin levels. This helps to know the amount of blood that has been lost so that the blood can be transfused back.
Also avoid alcohol and caffeine. Alcohol can alter your liver metabolism and it is harmful to the lining of your stomach. Caffeine worsens diarrhea by increasing dehydration.
Drinking water should be boiled if need be and should be kept in a clean place for cooling. The water that is being used for cooking needs to be clean to avoid contamination.
Fecal contamination in pools does happen more often than most think. In a recent study by the CDC, 58% of public swimming pools tested positive for fecal contamination. [15] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source This doesn’t mean there is E. coli present necessarily, but it does provide the environment for it to be transmitted. If you are swimming, avoid swallowing pool water as much as possible. Also, shower after leaving the pool to greatly diminish any chances of infection.
Wash your hands with warm soap and water. Scrub for at least 20 seconds.
A food thermometer should be used to ensure that the food being consumed is safe. Beef is only done when it has reached an internal temperature of 160° F (71. 1°C).
