Bacteria, viruses, parasites, etc., are usually the causative agents for intestinal infections in humans. The following HealthHearty write-up provides information on these infections.
Beneficial bacteria are a part of the normal intestinal flora. However, the balance between the harmful and the beneficial bacteria can get disturbed when disease-causing bacteria, viruses, parasites, and other pathogens invade the gastrointestinal tract of humans. This leads to intestinal infections in humans.
Types of Intestinal Infections
Bacterial Infections
Beneficial bacteria are the friendly bacteria that help in the digestion of food and keep away the bad bacteria. However, the number of friendly bacteria reduces when the pathogenic bacteria begin to multiply. This gives rise to a bacterial infection in intestinal tract. Some of the bacteria that can cause infection could even be a part of the normal flora of the intestine. Here are some of bacteria that can cause infection in the intestines:
- Escherichia coli
- Shigella spp.
- Salmonella spp.
- Vibrio spp.
- Campylobacter spp.
- Yersinia enterocolitica
- Aeromonas spp.
- Clostridium spp.
- Bacillus spp.
- Listeria spp.
Viral Infections
There are nine groups of viruses that are associated with gastrointestinal problems in humans. These include:
- Rotaviruses
- “Norwalk-like” Viruses
- Adenoviruses
- Astroviruses
- “Sapporo-like” Viruses
- Toroviruses
- Coronaviruses
- Picornaviruses
- Herpes viruses
Parasitic Infections
These parasites that can cause infection in the gastrointestinal tract in humans are:
- Protozoan
- Fluke worms
- Roundworms
- Tapeworms
- Pinworms
- Hookworms
Causes
The parasites and pathogens enter the body through undercooked or contaminated food items. When one ingests uncooked food or food that has not been washed, cooked, or stored properly, these organisms find a way into the body. Also, eating food with unwashed, unclean hands could also lead to gastrointestinal problems. These organisms can also enter the body through the skin, when contaminated soil comes in contact with cut or cracked skin. Drinking infected water from unclean sources may also cause intestinal infections. People who have a compromised immune system are more likely to develop such infections.
Symptoms
The symptoms might vary, depending on the causative agent of the intestinal infection. For example, roundworm infection could lead to fever, liver enlargement, upper abdominal pain, eye pain, insomnia, and rashes. The symptoms of a hookworm infection include iron deficiency, abdominal pain, mental lethargy, cardiac failure, and death in extreme cases. Pinworms lead to itchy skin and irritation of the anus and vagina. It also causes digestive problems, insomnia, nervousness, and irritability.
Protozoan infections lead to abdominal pain, vitamin deficiency, diarrhea, weight loss, flu-like symptoms, fever, and chills. Some of the common symptoms include:
- Abdominal pain
- Anemia
- Anorexia
- Bloody stools or dysentery
- Chest pain
- Chills
- Chronic fatigue
- Colitis
- Constipation
- Coughing
- Diarrhea
- Digestive disorders
- Dizziness
- Dysuria
- Fever
- Headaches
- Hematochezia
- Hemoptysis
- Immunodeficiency
- Insomnia
- Jaundice
- Joint pain
- Lung congestion
- Malnutrition
- Memory loss
- Mental problems
- Muscle spasms
- Myositis
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Night sweats
- Rectal hemorrhage
- Rectal prolapse
- Skin ulcers
- Sweating
- Facial swelling
- Vaginitis
- Vitamin B-12 deficiency
- Weakness
- Weight loss
Treatment
If one suffers from any of the aforementioned gastrointestinal symptoms, they should seek medical help for timely treatment. The treatment options would vary, depending on the type of infection. In case of bacterial infection, antibiotics such as Bactrim might be prescribed. Antiemetic drugs may be given to control vomiting and nausea. In case of parasites, antiparasitic medications may be prescribed to cure a severe infection.
Certain precautionary measures must be followed to prevent such infections. For instance, you should always wash your hands before eating food. Do check for the expiry date of packaged foods. Drink clean water and avoid drinking water from unknown sources. Avoid eating heavy foods and follow a healthy diet.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a medical expert.
