What is Colon Infection ?
BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery), 6 years of experience
What is the meaning of Colon Infection?
Bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections characterized by the inflammation of the inner lining of the colon are known as colon infections. The colon, also known as the large bowel, is the longest part of the large intestine, which is a part of the digestive system. It is a five to the six-foot-long, hollow tube at the end of the digestive tract, where the body makes and stores the stools. Colon infections are also known as infectious colitis. It is generally contracted by eating unhygienic or uncooked food, drinking contaminated water, overuse of antibiotics, or by certain bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections. Let us discuss in detail colon infection in today’s article.
- What are the causes of Colon Infection?
- What are the symptoms of Colon Infection?
- How to diagnose Colon Infection?
- What are the treatments for Colon Infection?
- How to prevent Colon Infection?
What are the causes of Colon Infection?
Colitis refers to the inflammation of the colon. The colon is present at the end of the gastrointestinal tract in the large intestine and it absorbs water and other nutrients from the food. It changes the remaining liquid into solid material before moving it to the rectum. The stool is then passed out through the anus.
The colon has a large surface area, which increases the risk of developing an infection. The following could be the possible causes of colon infection:
- Bacterial infections are caused due to contaminated food or water, or improper hygiene. Some of the bacteria commonly associated with colon infection are:
- Salmonella
- Clostridium difficile
- Shigella
- Mycobacterium tuberculosis
- Yersinia enterocolitica
- Campylobacter
( Know more about- What is Cholera? )
- Viral infections, like:
- Rotavirus ( Know more about- What is Rotavirus ? )
- Norovirus
- Adenovirus
- Cytomegalovirus
- Parasitic infections, like:
- Entamoeba histolytica
- Sexually transmitted infections (diseases that spread through sexual contact):
- HIV
- Herpes simplex virus
- Neisseria gonorrhoeae
- Chlamydia trachomatis
- Treponema pallidum
( Know more about- What are symptoms of Sexually Transmitted Diseases? )
- Ischemic colitis (when the blood supply to the large intestine is interrupted or stopped)
- Allergic colitis (commonly seen in children, mainly due to an allergy to the proteins present in cow’s milk)
- Microscopic colitis, which can only be seen under the microscope and is of the following two types:
- Lymphocytic colitis: It occurs due to an increase in the lymphocyte count, which is a type of white blood cell present in the colon lining.
- Collagenous colitis: It is a type of disease in which the collagen layer under the colon lining becomes thicker than normal.
- Drug-induced colitis (due to the overuse of certain antibiotics or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs))
( Know more about- What is Ulcerative Colitis? )
What are the symptoms of Colon Infection?
The symptoms of colon infection may include the following:
- Stomach pain ( Know more about- Home remedies for stomach pain in kids )
- Abdominal (stomach) cramps
- Pain in one side of the abdomen
- Diarrhea ( Know more about- What is Diarrhea? )
- Bloody stools ( Know more about- What is Blood in stools ? )
- Loss of appetite ( Know more about- What are the causes of loss of appetite ? )
- Weight loss
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Bloating ( Know more about- What is Peptic ulcer ? )
- Bowel incontinence (involuntary or accidental emptying of the bowel)
- Anemia ( Know more about- What is anemia ? )
- Pale skin
- Joint pain
- Dull body ache
- Reduced frequency of urination
- Bloody urine ( Know more about- What is blood in urine ? )
- Dehydration ( Know more about- What are the symptoms of Dehydration in Children ? )
- Swelling of the colon
- Redness over the colon
- Inflammation of the colon
( Know more about- What is Colon cancer? )
How to diagnose Colon Infection?
- The doctor will take the complete medical history of the patient, along with the recent history of travel or eating out.
- Physical examination: The doctor checks for inflammation in the colon region. The doctor may look for other symptoms like pain, distension, and listen for sounds using a stethoscope.
- Blood tests: The blood cell count can be obtained using a blood test. An increased level of white blood cells may indicate an infection. A low red blood cell count may indicate anemia. Low levels of albumin and protein may also indicate severe infection.
- Stool tests: These tests help in checking for the spread of infection and malabsorption in the gut.
- Imaging tests: Imaging tests like x-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, and ultrasounds may be used to obtain clear images of the internal organs of the body.
- Biopsy: A small portion of the colon is excised by the surgeon and sent to the laboratory for further evaluation.
- Endoscopy: A long tube-like instrument with an attached camera, known as an endoscope, is inserted into the body via the anus to check for growths or blockages in the colon.
( Know more about- What is Enteroscopy? )
- Colonoscopy: It is a procedure performed by inserting a long, flexible colonoscope through the rectum to examine the colon.
( Know more about- What is Colonoscopy? )
What are the treatments for Colon Infection?
The treatment of colon infection depends on the cause of the condition. The aim of the treatment is to stabilize the fluid levels and relieve the symptoms.
The following treatment modalities may be used to treat a colon infection:
- Infectious colitis is treated using antibiotics (for bacterial infections) or antiviral (for viral infections) medications. These medications may sometimes be given intravenously (IV).
- Gastric infections may cause nausea and severe diarrhea. This may lead to dehydration. Oral rehydration solutions may help in treating dehydration. Severe cases may require hospitalization. Anti-diarrhea and antiemetic (prevent vomiting) medications may be recommended.
- Surgery may be required in cases of tissue death and gangrene, to remove the tissue which is affected and prevent the infection from spreading further.
( Know more about- What is Liver Transplant Surgery? )
- Colon infections usually clear over time and only require symptomatic treatment to relieve pain and maintain the vitals of a person.
( Know more about- What is Ileostomy? )
How to prevent Colon Infection?
Colon infection can be prevented in the following ways:
- Wash your hands regularly, especially before cooking or eating
- Wash meat or produce thoroughly before cooking it
- Drink clean water
- Drink pasteurized milk
- Keep the raw meats separate from other foods
- Keep the utensils clean
- Ensure that the eggs and meat are cooked thoroughly before eating
- Do not cook if you are feeling sick or have any gastric problems
- Avoid those food items that you are allergic to
- Avoid food items like caffeine, raw fruits and vegetables, and alcohol, which cause an increased stool output.
- Quit smoking
- Eat small, frequent meals
- Practice safe sex ( Know more about- What is Condom ? )
- Eat a healthy and well-balanced meal
- Treat underlying medical conditions
( Know more about- What is Crohn’s Disease? )
We hope that we could answer all your questions regarding colon infection through this article.
If you want to get more information and treatment about colon infection, you can contact a good Gastroenterologist.
We only aim to give you information through the article. We do not recommend medication, treatment in any way. Only a doctor can give you the best advice and correct treatment plan.
