How to Treat Intestinal E. Coli Infections
For intestinal E. coli infections, what a person doesn’t do to treat symptoms is as important as what that person does do. For instance, intestinal E. coli infections caused by Shiga toxin–producing E. coli, or STEC — which spurs an estimated 265,000 foodborne infections each year in the United States — does not require antibiotic treatment. (1)
In fact, treating these cases with antibiotics can triple your risk of developing hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a complication in which toxins destroy red blood cells, disrupting the kidneys’ filtering system and possibly causing kidney failure, according to a report published in the journal Toxins. (2)
It’s also important not to treat STEC infections with over-the-counter antidiarrheal medication. These, too, can increase your risk of developing HUS, according to a study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases. (3)Antidiarrheal medication slows down the digestive system, which prevents the body from getting rid of the toxins swiftly. (4)
But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing a person can do to help ease symptoms and feel better. Experts recommend the following supportive therapies that can be done at home to aid recovery from a STEC infection:
- Get plenty of rest. Give your body a break so it can do its best fending off the infection.
- Stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of clear liquids, including water and broths, can help stave off dehydration and fatigue.
- Take small sips. This can help prevent vomiting.
- Avoid foods that worsen symptoms. These include apple and pear juices, caffeine, alcohol, spicy food, dairy, fatty foods, and high-fiber foods.
- Gradually add bland food into your diet. Start with items like soda crackers, toast, eggs, and rice. (4)
Most healthy adults can completely recover from a STEC infection after about a week without any medical attention. But if an individual has diarrhea that has lasted for more than three days along with a high fever, bloody stools, or intense vomiting that leads to dehydration, it’s important to contact a medical professional. (5)
