Intestinal Infections in Humans

There are a group of parasites as well as microorganisms that invade the gastrointestinal tract of humans. They cause intestinal infections in humans. These invading organisms tend to live in area within the body, but are more comfortable living in the intestinal environment. The following paragraphs speak about information related to the causes, symptoms and treatments.

Types of Intestinal Parasites in Humans

There are a number of parasites that cause intestinal infections in humans. These intestinal parasites in humans include bacteria, viruses and worms.

Bacterial Intestinal Infections
Beneficial bacteria are the normal host of the human intestine. They help in production of certain biochemical molecules and enzymes that help in digestion of food and keep away the bad bacteria. However, the pathogenic bacteria can displace these friendly bacteria and cause bacterial infection in intestinal tract. You should also note that few of these bacteria that can cause infection are also a part of the normal flora of the intestine. Some of these pathogens that can cause intestinal infections in humans are as follows:

• Escherichia coli
• Shigella spp
• Salmonella spp
• Vibrio spp
• Campylobacter spp
• Yersinia enterocolitica
• Aeromonas spp
• Clostridium spp
• Bacillus spp
• Listeria spp

Viral Intestinal Infections
There are nine viral groups that are associated with gastrointestinal problems in humans. The following is a list if viral agents that cause intestinal infections:

• Rotaviruses
• "Norwalk-like" Viruses
• Adenoviruses
• Astroviruses
• "Sapporo-like" Viruses
• Toroviruses
• Coronaviruses
• Picornaviruses
• Herpes viruses

Parasitic Intestinal Infections
There are a number of intestinal parasites that make 'home sweet home' within the intestines of humans. However, their heaven turns into hell for the infected human. They can cause number of intestinal infections that can turn into serious complications. These parasites causing intestinal complications in humans are:

• Protozoan
• Flukes (flatworms)
• Roundworms
• Tapeworms
• Pinworms
• Hookworms

Causes

The causes are mostly related to undercooked foods. These parasites and microorganisms gain entry into the body through mouth. When one ingests uncooked food, improperly washed food, etc. these organisms get inside the body. Also, eating food with unwashed, unclean hands also leads to gastrointestinal problems. These organisms can also enter the body through the skin, when larval contaminated soil comes in contact with cut or cracked skin. Drinking infected water from unclean sources may also cause intestinal infections in humans. Decrease in immunity may also cause some of the normal flora of the intestine to turn into an opportunistic pathogen.

Symptoms

Intestinal infection symptoms in humans causes a lot of discomfort to the infected person. These symptoms tend to be painful and debilitating. Different infections lead to different symptoms. For example, roundworm parasitic infection in humans leads to fever, liver enlargement, upper abdominal pain, eye pain, insomnia and rashes. Hookworm parasites in human symptoms 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 commonly experienced intestinal infections symptoms are as follows:

• Abdominal pain
• Anemia
• Anorexia
• Blindness
• Bloody stools or dysentery
• Central nervous system impairment
• Chest pain
• Chills
• Chronic fatigue
• Colitis
• Constipation
• Coughing
• Diarrhea
• Digestive disorders
• Dizziness
• Dysuria
• Enlargement of different organs
• 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
• Swelling in face
• Vaginitis
• Vitamin B-12 deficiency
• Weakness
• Weight loss

Treatment

Intestinal infection treatment depends on the type of infection. In case of bacterial infection, antibiotics may be prescribed like Bactrim. Antiemetics may be given to control vomiting and nausea. In case of parasites, antiparasitic medications may be prescribed to cure a severe infection. If one suffers from any of the gastrointestinal symptoms, they should seek medical help as the doctor will know the intestinal infection treatment.

You should always wash hands before eating food and make sure you check for the expiry date of packaged foods. Drink clean water and avoid drinking water from unknown sources. If you ever suffer from an upset stomach, you need to change your diet. Avoid eating heavy foods and maintain a light and healthy diet to quickly overcome a gastrointestinal upset.