E. coli enteritis

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Digestive system

Digestive system organs

E. coli enteritis

Definition:

E. coli enteritis is an inflammation of the small intestine caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria.

Alternative Names:
Traveler's diarrhea - E. coli; Food poisoning - E. coli; E. coli diarrhea; Hamburger disease
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

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E. coli enteritis is a type of bacterial gastroenteritis. The symptoms are a result of toxins or bacterial invasion into the intestine. The incubation period (the time it takes for the germ to cause illness) is 24- 72 hours. In adults, the infection is usually not severe.However, in children and infants, the infection frequently requires hospitalization and in some cases is life-threatening.

Certain types of E. coli infection are associated with hemolytic uremic syndrome, a diseasemarked by destruction of the red blood cells, drastic decrease in the platelets, and acute kidney failure.

Risk factors include recent family illness with E. coli, recent family illness with vomiting or diarrhea, eating unsanitary food, or drinking untreated or contaminated water. Travel to places that may not haveclean drinkingwater is also a risk factor.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).