Description One of the most com...
Description
One of the most common causes of diarrhea in the United States, affecting over one million people every year. People usually get infected by eating or drinking contaminated food or water, often raw poultry, fresh produce, or unpasteurized milk. A person can also be infected by close contact with an infected person or animal. Symptoms begin 2-4 days after infection and generally last one week.
Symptoms
Diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fever, weakness.
Tests
Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. Blood tests will be done to determine dehydration and stool cultures performed to identify bacteria.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP)
Other Specific Tests: stool cultures, blood cultures
Specialists:
Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Family Practice, Infectious Disease Medicine, Pediatric Infectious Disease Medicine
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. Blood tests will be done to determine dehydration and stool cultures performed to identify bacteria.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP)
Other Specific Tests: stool cultures, blood cultures
Specialists:
Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Family Practice, Infectious Disease Medicine, Pediatric Infectious Disease Medicine
Treatment
Intravenous fluids for dehydration and reversal of any electrolyte abnormalities (blood chemistry problems). Antibiotics are often prescribed but the infection will often resolve on its own.