E. coli enteritis

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Digestive system

Digestive system organs

Traveler's diarrhea - E. coli; Food poisoning - E. coli; E. coli diarrhea; Hamburger disease

Cases usually clear up on their own in 1 - 3 days, and no treatment is required. Antidiarrheal drugs may delay the elimination of the germs from the digestive tract, and therefore may not be recommended.

Rehydration with electrolyte solutions may be necessary if dehydration from diarrhea occurs. People with diarrhea (especially in young children) who are unable to take oral fluids because of nausea may need medical attention and intravenous fluids.

People taking diuretics need to be cautious with diarrhea, and may need to stop taking the diuretic during the acute episode, as directed by the health care provider.

Avoid dairy products. They may make the diarrhea worse due to the temporary lactose intolerance that can arise.

The illness usually runs its course in a few days, without treatment.

• Dehydration
• Prolonged diarrhea
• Temporary lactose intolerance afterwards

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you are unable to keep fluids down, if diarrhea does not go away in 3 - 4 days, or if you see blood in the stool.

Call your health care provider if you develop symptoms of dehydration, symptoms worsen or do not improve with treatment, or new symptoms develop.

Review Date: 11/07/2005
Reviewed By: Cyrus Badshah, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University; Assistant Attending Physician, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases & Medical Director, Chest (TB) Clinic and Directly Observed Therapy Program, Harlem Hospital Center. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.