Bacterial Infection in Stomach

Ate at a local food joint, and can't seem to figure out what's going on inside your stomach? This is not a very uncommon thing and I am sure many of us will relate to this condition. Bacterial infection is an infection caused by bacteria, as the name suggests. When this infection affects the stomach and results in irritation and swelling of intestines, it is called stomach bacterial infection. Any such infection is normally clubbed under the term gastroenteritis or gastrointestinal infection. Bacterial infection is caused by a number of factors, which are discussed below, followed by its symptoms and treatment method. Take a look.

Causes of Bacterial Infection in Stomach

A number of bacteria can cause gastrointestinal infection along with other stomach infections. These are Campylobacter jejuni, Clostridium, E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella, Methyl Resistant Staphylococcus aureus or staph infection, and Yersinia. Now, these bacteria would not all cause similar symptoms - they would be varied. Subsequently the names of the disease also change. Apart from bacterial gastroenteritis, bacteria in stomach can cause cholera, dysentery and gastroenteritis. In addition to this, the severity of the symptoms would also be determined by which bacteria has caused the infection. Food prepared in an incorrect manner, dairy products, bakery products, sea food, and reheated meat products can be a carrier for these bacteria to enter our stomach.

Symptoms of Bacterial Infection in Stomach

There are many symptoms of bacterial infection, the most common and prominent one being diarrhea. Other symptoms are:

• Abdominal cramps
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Bloody stools
• Loss of appetite
• Diarrhea

In fact, all the symptoms collectively may cause diarrhea. Let us now take a look at the treatment for such bacterial infection, in the following section.

Remedies for Bacterial Infection in Stomach

The first course of action for curing stomach infection is to replenish the fluids and electrolytes that the body has lost, on account of diarrhea. In unique and rare cases, even blood transfusion is given. Self care as regards to dehydration includes consuming electrolyte solutions to replace fluids lost by diarrhea. In addition to that, no solid food should be consumed until the diarrhea is properly dealt with. In case of children, who might not be able to take the electrolyte solutions orally, it may be essential to administer the solution intravenously. Through the veins, it will be directly injected in the blood stream.

In another situation, if you take diuretics, stop taking them lest you want to spell doom for yourself by aggravating your acute episode of diarrhea. If it is very serious, and is a menace for other body parts, the doctor will not prescribe antibiotics. If you yourself take such medicines, remember to consult your doctor before you pop a pill. In case of the following, contact the doctor immediately:

• Blood or pus in your stools, or your stool is black
• Abdominal pain that does not go away after a bowel movement
• Symptoms of dehydration
• Fever above 101 °F, or fever above 100.4 °F, along with diarrhea in case of children
• Development of diarrhea after visit to a foreign country
• If you had a new medication and develop diarrhea
• No improvement in diarrhea even after 5 days (2 days for an infant or child)
• Vomiting is experienced by children for more than 12 hours (in a newborn under 3 months, call as soon as vomiting or diarrhea begins)

That was all about bacterial infection in stomach. There is no need to worry much about this, if you follow certain basic rules for cleanliness and avoid eating at unreliable places and properly handle and cook food.