Signs Of An E.Coli Infection

Why is it so important to recognize the symptoms associated with an E. coli infection? Escherichia coli, or E. coli, is a common bacteria that lives in the intestines of humans and animals. Most strains of this bacteria are harmless to humans and help the body break down and digest food. However, some strains wreak havoc on the body, and symptoms can range in severity from mild to life-threatening. Death from an E. coli infection is rare but can happen due to kidney failure. Once exposed to E. coli, symptoms can start in as little as twenty-four hours, and typically, the incubation period is between three and four days. Recognizing whether symptoms warrant a visit to the emergency room or simply require rest and rehydration can save a life.

Fever

As with many bacterial infections, a fever is an early sign of an E. coli infection. Since most pathogenic bacteria thrive at body temperature, a fever helps to create an environment in which they cannot proliferate. Bacteria cannot survive within the elevated core temperature of a febrile host. Therefore, the infection can begin to be thwarted. This is one of the body's first lines of defense in fighting disease. Fevers that remain below 103 degrees, though sometimes uncomfortable, are generally not of great concern. They are direct proof the body is fighting a foreign invader. Should a patient's temperature rise above 103 degrees, medical attention should be sought.

Fatigue

Another early sign of an E. coli infection is marked by feelings of extreme lethargy, sleepiness, and weakness in the body, and can result from being dehydrated. When the body is dehydrated, blood volume lowers, and the heart must work harder to pump oxygen-rich blood. This explains why lying down can feel like climbing a mountain. Completing simple daily tasks can feel daunting and exhausting when one is suffering from fatigue. Replacing lost fluids and electrolytes slowly to alleviate dehydration, along with getting ample rest, is essential to help mitigate this symptom. Fatigue can be caused by many different factors like poor sleep quality or vigorous exercise. For this reason, it is notable this symptom alone does not always indicate an infection.