Hemorrhagic colitis

Introduction

Hemorrhagic colitis is a type of gastroenteritis in which some strains of Escherichia coli (E. coli) infection colon and produce a poison that causes sudden bloody diarrhea and sometimes severe complications.

In North America, the most common strain of E. coli that causes hemorrhagic colitis is called E. coli 0157: H7. This strain occurs in the intestines of healthy cattle. Outbreaks can occur by eating undercooked beef, especially ground beef, or drinking unpasteurized milk. This disease can also spread from person to person, especially among children in diapers. Hemorrhagic colitis can occur in people of all ages ..

E. coli toxins damage the lining of the colon. If you are absorbed into the bloodstream and can affect other organs, such as kidneys.

Symptoms

Severe abdominal cramps begin suddenly with watery diarrhea that usually within 24 hours becomes bloody. Body temperature is usually normal people, or slightly above normal, but sometimes it can reach more than 38.8 ° C. Diarrhoea usually lasts 1-8 days.

About 50% of people infected with E. coli 0157: H7 obtained hemolytic-uraemic syndrome. Symptoms include anemia caused by the breakdown of red blood cells (hemolytic anemia) and low platelet count (thrombocytopenia) and sudden kidney failure. Some people get it and epileptic convulsions, stroke or other complications of nerve damage or brain. These complications typically develop in the second week of illness, and they may precede temperature elevation. Hemolytic-uraemic syndrome frequently develops in children under 5 and the elderly. Even without these complications in the elderly hemorrhagic colitis can cause death.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Doctor usually suspected hemorrhagic colitis when people say they have bloody diarrhea. For the diagnosis of the doctor giving stool samples to examine E. coli 0157: H7. These samples should be obtained within one week of the onset of symptoms.

Other tests, such as colonoscopy, can be done if the doctor suspects that the cause of bloody diarrhea may be other diseases.

The most important thing in the treatment is to drink plenty of fluids to compensate the loss of fluid and adherence to a bland diet. Antibiotics do not ease the symptoms, do not remove bacteria or prevent complications. People who get complications will likely need intensive care in hospital, including dialysis.